About the Book
A true story of triumph by award-winning business leader, impact investor, and educator James Rhee that will inspire and empower us to transform our lives and our businesses with the simple and yet powerful combination of kindness and math.
In kindergarten, James Rhee received a toy red helicopter in gratitude for a simple act of kindness—the innocent generosity of sharing his lunch. Nearly four decades later, the true meaning and lesson from this memory helped him overcome indescribable hurdles as both a first time CEO and son to a dying father. Combining the radical common sense of a child with the knowledge of an experienced private equity investor and law school graduate, James led one of the most dramatic reinventions in business history. Partnering with Black women across America, James led Ashley Stewart, a twice-bankrupt retailer with no WiFi, from the jaws of liquidation to a transcendent success that inspired a world seeking a different way. And, in the process, he was able to reconcile his own complicated past and see his mom for who she truly was.
Combining the clarity and imagination we had as children with some basic business metrics, Rhee composed a system he calls “Kindness and Math.” It’s a simple solution to the dissatisfaction and worry so many of us feel, an intuitive response to the gnawing uncertainty we face daily as we meander through our lives and struggle to understand why we might feel so out of control in our professional and personal lives. red helicopter—a parable for our times exposes the root cause for these feelings and encourages us to embrace a few key principles to reorient our lives, organizations, and the world to reflect the best in us. In this remarkable book, Rhee provides the tools we can use to:
- Embrace agency by identifying the obstacles quietly holding us back
- Construct a balance sheet of our true assets and liabilities
- Create and measure “goodwill,” the ultimate collective good
- Lead systems transformation with a framework comprised of small, scalable acts
- Drive financial profitability with little to no investment of money
- Unlock the value of difference and the unpredictable
- and more
Rhee’s fresh thinking emerged from an emotional journey in which both the professional and personal intersected and became one. The financial uncertainty, family tragedy, and soul-searching he endured, after the whole world left him and Ashley Stewart for dead, led him to create a simple and scalable solution to the struggles that ail us all. This quiet and powerful ode to humanity is sorely needed in today’s troubled world.
red helicopter—a parable for our times features 10-20 black and white drawings by Heyon Cho.
About the Author :
James Rhee is an acclaimed impact investor, founder, CEO, goodwill strategist, thought leader, and educator, who empowers people, brands, and organizations by marrying capital with purpose. He bridges the emotional with the mathematical, and gives permission for us to be human. A long-time private equity investor, James also serves as a founding member of JP Morgan Chase's Advancing Black Pathways, a charter member of Ashoka's Entrepreneur-to-Entrepreneur Network, and former Chair of the Innovation Committee of the National Retail Federation. In addition to his private sector endeavors, Rhee teaches at Howard University (where he serves as the Johnson Chair of Entrepreneurship), MIT Sloan School of Management, and Duke School of Law. He lives in Boston, Massachusetts.
Review :
"red helicopter is a transformative experience. James Rhee's story is a must read for anyone, of any age, who wishes to think, act, and lead with balance, agility, and wisdom." — Jay Shetty, #1 New York Times bestselling author
"[Rhee] calls for readers to embrace agency, assess their true assets and liabilities, measure goodwill, and lead transformative change through small, scalable acts, …bringing to mind Simon Sinek’s Leaders Eat Last and Brené Brown’s Daring Greatly…a well-crafted narrative with a genuine and heartfelt approach….it will have a broad general appeal for readers looking to rediscover simple yet powerful principles that can lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful life." — Library Journal
"The breezy pace of red helicopter reads like a fictional movie, but it’s a true story and a must-read. ... If you’re at a company in the midst of a crisis, restructuring or turnaround, Rhee’s focus on listening and collaborating with staff at all levels gives a useful model to emulate." — Forbes
"I had expected an ordinary business book, but as I read, I was moved to tears by the life story of [Rhee's] parents—so powerful it rivals works like Crying in H Mart, recommended by former U.S. President Barack Obama, or the Netflix drama series When Life Gives You Tangerines." — Korea JoongAng Daily
"red helicopter is a breath of fresh air in a cluttered world of self-improvement and business literature. For anyone looking to find purpose in the chaos and to embrace life’s deeper connections, red helicopter is a guiding light. I enthusiastically endorse this book for anyone eager to elevate their life and career with heartfelt authenticity and clear-eyed vision." — Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, New York Times bestselling author of The Earned Life, Triggers, and What Got You Here Won’t Get You There
"red helicopter is both a GPS for your soul and a superpower to fuel your journey to purpose. In a hustle-bent world, it stops time and takes you from where you are to where you aim to go. If you’re ready to evolve, own your life, and excel in possibility, this is the book you’ve been waiting for." — Mikki Taylor, award-winning journalist, editor-at-large for Essence magazine, and author of Editor in Chic
"Imagine if your habits were infused with meaning. This parable for our times will inspire you to transform yourself and your teams as they lead with integrity, agility, and courage." — Charles Duhigg, author of bestsellers The Power of Habit, Smarter Faster Better, and Supercommunicators
"red helicopter captures the essence of the human condition and the role it must play in success. James Rhee has captured the core of a curriculum that all schools teaching the principles of business - and life - should implement as we prepare for the future." — Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, President Emeritus and Charles R. Drew Professor of Surgery, Howard University
"With experience and deep insight, James Rhee redefines the path towards success. Through masterful storytelling and experience, red helicopter elevates kindness, joy, and goodwill to their rightful place. Rhee shows us a better way to strive, one with our deep values at the center. A wonderful book that all of us who are driven and strivers desperately need to read." — Steve Magness, bestselling author of Do Hard Things
