John H. Burdakin and the Grand Trunk Western Railroad

by Mary Sharp, Frederick J. Beier

Overview

John H. Burdakin and the Grand Trunk Western Railroad provides a look at the principles and personal values that guided John H. Burdakin through a long, successful career as a top manager at three railroads—the Pennsylvania, the Penn Central, and finally the Grand Trunk Western, where he was president of the regional carrier from 1974 to 1986. The book, written from interviews with Burdakin before his death in 2014, gives real-life examples of how Burdakin’s management principles and personal qualities helped him solve labor- management problems, update railroad technology, protect worker safety, and improve employee morale while managing a four thousand-person workforce. It introduces colorful characters who were involved in American railroads, as well as the serious, life-threatening issues that confronted railroads in the last half of the twentieth century in America. This book will provide insights for managers of any business as well as for those seeking to balance a successful career and a rewarding home life.
 
 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781611862218
Publisher:	Michigan State University Press
Publication date:	12/01/2016
Edition description:	1
Pages:	127
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 16.60(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Mary Sharp is the author of four books and editor of twenty. She currently lives in Iowa.
Frederick J. Beier is professor emeritus at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management.
 

Table of Contents

A Thanks from John H. Burdakin ix

Foreword Dennis J. Gilstad xi

Introduction xv

Important Daces in the Life of John H. Burdakin xxiii

Chapter 1 When Put in Charge, Take Charge 1

Chapter 2 Do the Right Thing 19

Chapter 3 When You See a Problem, Find Solutions 29

Chapter 4 You Won't Win Them All

Chapter 5 Hire Good People 49

Chapter 6 Choose Carefully Whom You Marry 55

Chapter 7 Enjoy Your Work and Work Hard 59

Appendix 1 An Overview of Grand Trunk 67

Appendix 2 Shared Values by the Burdakin Family 81

Appendix 3 Jean Burdakin Essays 89

Appendix 4 This I Believe 95

Notes 101

Index 107

Editorial Reviews

Sharp and Beier have captured the real John H. Burdakin at his best. An enlightened visionary, inspiring leader, persistent motivator, loving husband, and caring father, Burdakin lived a love affair with good track, effective motive power, and a team of involved employees. He set the standards and lit a fire inside many of us that still burns bright.”
—Art Fettig, author of Winning the Safety Commitment and recipient of the National Safety Council’s Distinguished Service to Safety Award
 
 

From the Publisher