Heretics to Heroes: A Memoir on Modern Leadership by Cort Dial

The dawn of a new era of the twenty-first century marks a resurgence of modern leadership, bringing a new wave of innovators, activists, and entrepreneurs who are redefining how business, politics, and social organizations are run. In "Heretics to Heroes: A Memoir of Modern Leadership," author Cort Dial showcases evidence of exceptional leadership, delving into real-life stories of innovative and provocative leaders who have changed the world for the better.

The primary focus of the book is to demonstrate that success comes only through fearless pursuit of something visionary; that modern leadership is defined by taking risks and going against conventional thought to bring revolutionary change. Dial urges readers to use unconventional paths and be willing to face risks and criticism in order to reach great heights in their work and life. To back up these opinions, Dial narrates some of the most inspiring leadership stories in recent memory.

The first chapter features story of the founder of PayPal, Peter Thiel. After the dot-com bust of the late nineties, investors were apprehensive about investing in risky startups that had been hitherto penalized for their failures. However, Thiel was able to raise funding for PayPal with his persuasive pitch and within months its one-of-a-kind payment system had grown to serve over 100,000 customers worldwide. Later, in the year 2002, eBay acquired the company in a historic deal estimated at 1.5 billion dollars.

Other chapters featured in the book include the tale of Arunachalam Muruganantham, an Indian man who invented low-cost sanitary pads to make it more affordable for rural women in the country. Muruganantham encountered much abuse and criticism, but he refused to give up during all the highs and lows and went on to revolutionize the menstrual hygiene market in India.

In "Heretics to Heroes: A Memoir on Modern Leadership," Dial also highlights the success stories of some legendary entrepreneurs and activists such as Howard Schultz who extensively changed the ready-to-drink coffee industry, Sara Blakely who revolutionized the design of woman’s hosiery and apparel, Richard Branson who built his own business empire, and Ellen DeGeneres who changed the way the world sees LGBT issues.

Apart from narrating inspiring leadership stories, Dial also sheds light on the big mistakes that leaders in today’s world should avoid. He admits that there are many factors to consider, however he does highlight the importance of being prepared for failure, analyzing the external environment and staying true to one’s values.

At the end of "Heretics to Heroes: A Memoir of Modern Leadership," Dial reminds readers that the beauty in life is in the struggle and risks that one takes and that the ultimate reward lies in becoming a hero of the times.

This book is an essential read for individuals who wish to be successful in their careers and play a leading role in their personal and organizational success. It demonstrates that leadership is not all about wealth and power, but a deeper challenge of understanding self and the society in which one exists. Through its real-life examples, Dial emphasizes that success comes only through self-awareness, personal growth and hard work, showcasing that it is not the strongest or most intelligent of the species who prevail, but the most resilient.