Table of Contents

Foreword.


Acknowledgments.


Introduction.


 1. Death of the Dog.


 2. Pitchin Pennies.


 3. The Speck in My Eye.


 4. Benched.


 5. Unjust Rewards.


 6. A Second Betrayal.


 7. The Piano that Played.


 8. The Line on Fire.


 9. Thieves in the Night.


10. The Sound of Silence.


11. Alone with My Fears.


12. Excellencia.


13. Back to the Beginning.


14. Turning It Around.


15. A Painful Conclusion.


16. The Struggle Is On.


17. One Strong Voice.


18. Legacy.


19. The Legacy Lives.


Conclusion.


Appendix.

Promotional Information

And Dignity for All is about becoming a leader with integrity: one who leads by example and builds an organization around a vision and values that others are proud to share. As Ken Blanchard observes in his extraordinarily enthusiastic foreword, this is two books in one. First, it is the story of Jim Despain's remarkable personal journey from floor sweeper at Caterpillar to corporate vice president, and from self-serving, "command-and-control" boss to inspirational leader. Second, it teaches you how to translate simple values like respect, empowerment, civility, and open dialogue into a corporate culture that works. Sounds like mush? It isn't. Despain used these techniques to transform a failing rust-belt firm in an old-line industry into a thriving enterprise with exemplary labor-management relations and stellar numbers. With his guidance, you can make equally profound and lasting changes in your own organization.

About the Author

JIM DESPAIN rose from hourly worker at Caterpillar to Vice President and General Manager of Track-Type Tractors Division in East Peoria, Illinois-one of the company's largest manufacturing facilities. As its leader, he transformed the division's bottom line, cutting its breakeven point in half, while at the same time dramatically improving its historically difficult labor relations. Despain is currently a trustee at Eureka College. JANE BODMAN CONVERSE was the communications player on Jim's culture-change team, responsible for messages and media to support the transformation at Caterpillar. She is President of Converse Inc., Peoria, Illinois, and has more than 30 years experience in organizational consulting, communications, and marketing.