Charles Koch, Chairman and Co-CEO—By the time Charles graduated from high school, he had attended eight schools (“but only got kicked out of one”). Despite earning three engineering degrees from MIT, he claims he is “a lousy engineer” but excels at making mistakes—“lots and lots of them.” By learning from those mistakes and implementing a principle-based framework, the company he leads has grown 9,000-fold since 1960. Utterly rejecting retirement, even at the age of ninety, Charles continues to push for a principle-based approach to life, business and society. His wife of fifty-plus years and their two children are on board with this passion, and his three grandchildren are well on their way.
Chase Koch, Executive Vice President of Origination and Partnerships—As a child, Chase was an average student who slept through his father’s Sunday afternoon philosophy lessons. He is the only Koch executive to ever fire himself from a role as president of a Koch company. But after discovering his strengths as a builder rather than an operator, he founded Koch Disruptive Technologies to invest in companies that are helping Koch transform. KDT gave rise to “Koch Labs”—an application of the Republic of Science principle—accelerating the company’s transformations. His role has expanded to include building partnerships that will help Koch endure. Today, his North Star is uniting and empowering people to create disruptive solutions.
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“In a world full of noise, the ability to make sound decisions is a leader's greatest advantage. Chase and Charles Koch provide a clear and practical framework for leading with principles and long-term vision. This book offers lessons that can strengthen both your leadership and your ability to create value.”
—Tony Robbins, #1 Life & Business Strategist
“Becoming a Principle-Driven Leader has the power to reshape not only companies, but entire societies. It is the most practical and effective guide available for learning and applying the principles of progress—drawn from two lifetimes of wisdom, responsibility, and innovation.”
—Tyler Cowen, “America’s Hottest Economist” according to Bloomberg
“Two leaders. One family. Zero spin. Charles and Chase Koch open the vault on what really happened—mistakes, near-bankruptcy, hard calls, and the mindset shifts that changed everything, fueling extraordinary success. They take you inside the unfiltered story of how crisis reshaped their character—and transformed their company. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn your hardest moments into your greatest breakthroughs, this book is essential.”
—Brian Grazer, Cofounder, Imagine Entertainment
“Here’s the how-to book for the ages. What makes it so powerful and helpful is that the principles discussed here come from the authors’s real word experiences with both success and failure combined with their genuine understanding of human history. The principles apply not only to commerce but also to finding and leading a meaningful life.”
—Steve Forbes, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief, Forbes
“It is no accident that Koch Inc. has become one of America's most successful and enduring businesses. In an ever-transforming world, Charles and Chase share extraordinary stories from their business and personal lives, highlighting the key principles that have enabled their success. A surprisingly entertaining and accessible page turner, the book provides direct insights that can help anyone realize what they want from their career, their business, their relationships, or their life.
—David Friedberg, Serial Tech Entrepreneur, Host of All-In Podcast
“Winning is temporary, but principles last. When your life is rooted in the right principles, they guide your decisions, strengthen your character, and impact every area of your life. A principle-driven leader doesn’t just chase success—they build people, endure adversity, and leave a legacy that reaches far beyond the game.”
—Demario Davis, New Orleans Saints Linebacker and Team Captain
“Improvisation in life, like music, needs a solid foundation. Since my friend Chase shared the book with me, it has become such a useful insight on my journey in business and community service. Having evolved over the years from life experience, Becoming a Principle-Driven Leader provides a solid foundation with proven principles that guide how we listen, lead, and create something that endures.”
—Jon Baptiste, Grammy Award–Winning Musician and Composer
“Without a college degree or a conventional career path, I found my way by applying principles, learning, and contributing wherever I could. The principles covered in this book helped me grow into leadership roles and support others in their success. Becoming a Principle-Driven Leader truly reflects this experience —it’s a practical guide for turning challenges into opportunities for growth.”
—Jarrod Benson, Chief Information Officer, Koch
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