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How do America's top private company CEOs survive and prosper, not just in terms of having the biggest, most profitable company, but in maintaining balance and finding happiness in all areas of their lives? That is the focus of a new study conducted by international consultant and executive coach DR. MARY KEY and Certified Financial Planner DENNIS STEARNS, who document their findings in their new book, CEO ROAD RULES: Right Focus, Right People, Right Execution (Davies-Black Publishing, October 2006; Hardcover; $24.95).

Unlike the many studies and business books that focus on why leaders succeed or fail, Key and Stearns outline the significant habits of CEOs who appear to have found more fulfilling and balanced lives. CEO ROAD RULES showcases 50 CEOs that include Michael Dougherty of Kindermusik International, Jim Ferman of Ferman Motor Cars, John West of Acclaris, and Gary Treat with Southwest Trane. Key and Stearns findings reveal CEOs more often travel the path to happiness and success in their own businesses and personal lives when they zero in on three key areas of leadership:

• RIGHT FOCUS: Developing a mission, vision and values for your company, yourself and your family
• RIGHT PEOPLE: How you select and hire those who will help you excel in your business and in your life.
• RIGHT EXECUTION: Executing with excellence, getting the right things done on time and with high impact.

CEO ROAD RULES explores how any executive can move beyond money, fame, and power to create lasting significance. According to Dr. Key, “Most CEOs don't even begin to think about significance or the legacy they're leaving until something traumatic happens to them. By learning from the CEOs we interviewed, people everywhere can discover the keys to balancing all the essential pieces of life so they can make a positive impact in the business world, in the community, and with their family.” “Being a significance-driven entrepreneur takes guts, resiliency, and agility,” Stearns adds. “This extra measure of resolve and effort has paid off handsomely for the top CEOs we researched.”

ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Dr. Mary Key is a business consultant, speaker, author, and executive coach for more than 20 years. Key Associates, Inc. (keyassociatesinc.com) is an organizational transformation consulting company that helps leaders and organizations align with their goals and balance the many facets of “success.” Key has worked with Fortune 500 companies, entrepreneurial enterprises, and government entities.

Dennis Stearns is a Certified Financial Planner and is President of Stearns Financial Services Group, a fee only financial planning and investment management firm based in Greensboro, NC with clients around the U.S and Canada. He has more than 25 years' experience as a personal wealth advisor to public and private CEOs and is the author of numerous articles in prestigious financial journals.