Steven A. White - Uncompromising: How an Unwavering Commitment to Your Why Leads to an Impactful Life and a Lasting Legacy

Advanced Praise for
Uncompromising

Steve Whites Uncompromising story challenges all of us who may be leaning back with a relaxed approach, to lean forward with ferocity and focus. Only the truly committed will enjoy a fulfilling life and a lasting legacy. I cant think of a leader who wouldnt benefit from pushing the purpose pedal and applying Steves hard-won life lessons.

Walt Rakowich, Former CEO , Prologis

Uncompromising tells the compelling story of Steve Whites journey from growing up in poverty to becoming one of Americas most successful business leaders and directors. Throughout his career, Steve has combined an extraordinary work ethic with the astute ability to identify the things that truly make the difference to success both in business and, more importantly, in life. With deeply personal stories, Steve identifies essential pathways to a life with true purpose and meaning. These pathways can lead to greater prosperity and shared success for us all. Steves dedication to helping others live a better and uncompromising life is an inspiration to us all.

D.G. Macpherson, Chairman & CEO, W.W. Gra inger Inc.

As a former public company CEO, I was once described as a learning machine by one of my board members who was attributing that strength to my success, so Steves chapter about living life as a learning lab particularly resonated with me. My personal experience with Steve is that he, too, is a learning machine and he lives this philosophy, always asking many questions, seeking to understand, absorbing and considering new ideas and ways of thinking. Now I understand how he evolved those skills and why he has been successful. A very relatable and meaningf ul read.

Larissa Herda, Former Former Chair and CEO of Time Warner Te lecom I nc.

Keeping your eye on the prize is the key to every goal we hope to accomplish. Through seven critical life pathways, Steve White shares what it means to have your eye on the real prize and how to avoid losing your way with the short-term distractions of lesse r value.

Shellye Archambeau, Fortune 500 Board Director and Author of Unapologetically Ambitious

In Uncompromising , Steve White delivers the message that the path to an impactful life and a lasting legacy is paved by an unwavering commitment to your why, a concept that I have lived by for most of my life. Through powerful stories of his past, his present, the lives of his mentors and those who have shaped (and continue to shape) him, Steve inspires you to look for the good, be grateful for what you have, and never compromise on who you are. No matter what your personal journey looks like, you will be able to identify with the struggles, successes, celebrations, and life lessons Steve so articulately details, and these stories will become powerful tools for you to apply in your own life, knowing that if you believe it, you truly can ach ieve it.

Jim Craig, 1980 Olympic Gold Medalist, President & CEO of Gold Medal Strategies

Life is full of uncertain times, twists and turns. Todays business climate is no exception. The uncompromising focus that carried Steve White through troubled waters as a young adult to the terra firma hes worked tirelessly to cultivate as one of Americas trusted leaders, is something we should all strive to model as we aim to make our mark and leave a legacy.

Brad Shaw, Chairman & CEO, Shaw Communica tions Inc.

Steve White has given us access to his personal life story and his incredible journey to the executive suite. His book is a must-read on so many levels, especially for anyone looking to realize their true potential. Hard hitting at times with raw passion, we see the man who deeply loves his family commit to success and then get it done without compromise. This is an incredible life story. You will ask yourself What is my why? when you finish t he book.

Robert E. Knowling Jr., Former CEO of Covad Communications Group, and Chairman of Eagles Landin g Partners

When Steve White talks about life or work, I listen. Whether in the boardroom or over a meal, Steves uncompromising intellectual curiosity creates profound and provocative conversations, always with the goal of improving focus and results. This book is a terrific compilation of his guiding principles and a fascinating look at the internal compass that guides and dri ves him.

Jim Snee, Chairman, P resident, and CEO of Hormel Foods Inc.

Whether you are a seasoned business executive or a twenty-two-year-old just entering the workforce, Uncompromising contains life-changing lessons and reminders. (My personal favorites are pathways six and seven.) Steve engages the reader by drawing deeply from his own personal struggles and successes. True to the premise of the book, Steve does not make excuses and seeks always to point out the learnings and opportunities. As a board colleague at one of Americas most successful food companies, I have watched Steve actually put to work many of the lessons in a real-world setting. The seven pathways are more than just slogans, and Steve walks the talk. These are lessons we can all learn from, and Steves experiences make him uniquely qualified to sha re them.

Gary Bhojwani, CEO of CNO Financial Group Inc.

Steve gets it! The power of the commitment to your why is your fuel through times of turbulence to continue to steadily march, sometimes run, with ferocity toward your destination. This is a book and daily empowerment to be read over and ove r again.

Michael B. Hancock, Fo rty-Fifth Mayor of Denver , Colorado

Page for page, Uncompromising is brimming with highs, lows, and everything in between that happens to someone whos on a mission to live a purpose-filled life. If you want one too, you have this book in you r hands.

Chauncey Billups, Head Basketball Coach, Portland Trail Blazers, and Former NBA Basketb all Player

A POST HILL PRESS BOOK

ISBN: 978-1-6 3758-239-8

ISBN (eBook): 978-1-6 3758-240-4

Uncom promising:

How an Unwavering Commitment to Your Why Leads to an Impactful Life and a Last ing Legacy

2022 by Steven A. White

All Right s Reserved

Cover design by Tony Steck

Although every effort has been made to ensure that the personal and professional advice present within this book is useful and appropriate, the author and publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any person, business, or organization choosing to employ the guidance offered in this book.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author and publisher.

Post Hill Press

New York Nashville

posthil lpress.com

Published in the United States of America

To my wife, Barbita,
whose uncompromising approach to what matters has been and still is a source of motivation and inspiration.

Contents

My Uncompromising Start
Why I Believe What I Believe

Great Expectations
You Have to Believe to Achieve

I was inspired to write this book because Ive been blessed beyond my wildest expectations. My blessings have not been money, career success, or something else materially, but a life filled with incredible role models and influencers. My journey can best be summed up with the following quote:

If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.

My life has been shaped and influenced by two incredible women. I received an incredible foundation from my mom. Her focus on what matters, her uncompromising approach to life, her risk-taking, her work ethic, her love of God, and her commitment to her why of raising four boys provided a north star for me that still shines today. I also owe a debt of gratitude to my departed stepfather, Smitty, who was a much-needed role model to a small child missing his dad.