3

MOVE YOURSELF FROM “OH F#@& TO OK”

The key to winning is poise under stress.

—PAUL BROWN, THE LATE COACH OF THE CLEVELAND BROWNS AND CINCINNATI BENGALS

“Mark, I’m giddy with excitement,” Jim Mazzo, CEO and chairman of Advanced Medical Optics, told me over the phone.

Jim is one of the most ethical and effective leaders I know. But even from such a remarkable man, his comment was astonishing —because on that day in 2007, Jim’s company was in the midst of what most people would call a crisis.

Without waiting to ask his board for permission, Jim had just ordered a voluntary recall of an eye solution as soon as he learned that it could contribute to serious corneal infections. I’d called Jim to tell him how much I admired his action, which reminded ...

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