Donald F. Hastings has been retired for some years and has the luxury of time: like spending it reading about and/or watching world events.
He cringes at the latest embarrassing scandal in Washington, D.C. or laments the fact that manufacturing has made a mass exodus overseas. When this occurs, he wants to dive into the nearest phone booth, don his cape and tights, and do something.
He thinks, "What if we...? "Hey, what would happen if...? Then one night, it hit him. Shut up and write your book, Don.
His book is not meant to teach but to inspire. The book is the story of how Don Hastings used highly unorthodox methods to rise from sales trainee to Chief Executive Officer in one of the most unique manufacturing companies in the world.
There are plenty of books spotlighting his company and its story but "Behind the Mask" is not one of them.
It is a story about a controversial leadership style of insisting that employees be treated as assets rather than costs, which contradicts today's conventional corporate mindset. "Behind the Mask" proves that treating people fairly, compensating them for good work and giving them a voice is not only ethical, but highly profitable.
"I believe human beings are the single greatest resource a company has," Hastings said. "Of course, there's a risk in taking care of your people, but being creative and taking risks is what inspired management is all about!"
Source: Donald F. Hastings: Behind the Mask: Embrace Risk and Dare to Be Better