A Journey of Insights: Lessons in Leadership and Legacy
James G. Ellis
Lyons Press (September 2026)
Lessons well worth learning…and then sharing. Bon appetit!
Long ago, according to Plato (one of his students), Socrates insisted that an “unexamined life wasn’t worth living.” I was again reminded of that as I began to read this personal memoir of Jim Ellis, who shares what he learned from a life (thus far) that has included earning degrees from New Mexico University and Harvard Business School as well as being a professor and then Dean of the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business.
His career also included extensive experience in the business world before joining academia, working in senior management or director positions with Broadway Department Stores, American Porsche Design, Miller’s Outpost, and several other companies. Ellis has served on the boards of directors of such corporate and non-profit organizations as the Young Presidents’ Organization, Kidspace Children’s Museum, Pasadena Chamber of Commerce, Chief Executives Organization and World Presidents’ Organization.
That’s quite a “journey” indeed…and one that generated countless insights well worth sharing, as Ellis does in this book.
The specific “lessons in leadership and legacy” that Ellis learned are best revealed in context, within a frame of reference, but I will share now three brief excerpts from his lively and eloquent narrative:
o “My definition of a good mentor is someone who has been where you might like to go, and who is serving in that mentorship capacity in such a manner that you are their only agenda. They don’t stand to benefit from the relationship other than to see you become a success. They are objective, thoughtful, and caring in their approach to you and our questions. They are generous with their time.” (Page 64)
o “Academic careers, business careers, and life in general rarely unfold in a pure linear fashion. There are digressions and complications, and even if you might plan to go from point A to Point B, that path might not be a straight line.” (89)
o “We are all a product of our surroundings and our experiences. I definitely am that and, in my late stages of life, just wanted to share what I have gone through so that others might avoid mistakes I have made or amplify on good strides I have made. It is my give back to you, the reader, with a thanks for listening, learning, and leaving.” (128)
What are the most valuable lessons that you have learned from in your own life thus far?
FYI, mine include these two, both learned from others.
From Voltaire: “Cherish those who seek the truth but beware of those who find it.”
From Peter Drucker: “There is surely nothing quite so useless as doing with great efficiency what should not be done at all.”
Thank you, Jim Ellis, for the pleasure of your company and for the value of what you so generously share.
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Here are two suggestions while you are reading A Journey of Insights: First, highlight key passages. Also, perhaps in a lined notebook kept near-at-hand, record your comments, questions, and action steps (preferably with deadlines). Pay special attention to the set of “Questions About [an especially important segment of one’s life]” at the conclusion of most chapters.
These two simple tactics — highlighting and documenting — will expedite frequent reviews of key material later.