Inspiring Leadership:
Character and Ethics Matter
Author: Perry J. Martini and Stew Fisher
Hardcover: 248 pages
Publisher: Academy Leadership Publishing (February 15, 2005)
ISBN-10: 0972732322
ISBN-13: 978-0972732321
Why another book on leadership, ethics, or character development? Where can leaders turn for guidance on ethical dilemmas? These thought-provoking questions motivated the authors to tackle this project head on. Stew Fisher and Perry Martini, both graduates of Annapolis, have written a timely and inspirational book. Their specific examples of real-life leadership decisions, drawn from the military, business, sports, and other fields are particularly powerful.
This is a book about why character and ethics do matter. While many authors of leadership books attempt to answer tough questions about leadership with sweeping generalizations, the authors chose instead to focus on one simple premise: Doing the right thing and making the right leadership decisions is based on a leader's character.
Experts in the field of leadership and ethics too often preach that no solution is more correct than
another, but this politically correct waffling does a great disservice to those seeking real answers. This
risk-avoidance approach is dangerous and creates a moral compass spinning aimlessly. Stew and
Perry, however, decided to focus on a microcosm of leaders who today influence nearly every aspect of life in
our country. They surveyed their fellow Naval Academy classmates, members of a special fraternity who
offered their insightful reflections about leadership and their core values. A few of their classmates are
currently senior military leaders of “Enduring Freedom,” the global War on Terror.
Stew and Perry also draw upon their own thirty-plus years of service and the experiences of
recognized world and national leaders, past and present. The result is a rich blend of observations from the
worlds of business, sports, politics, and military conflict. It is truly a dynamic and inspirational
exploration of leadership at its deepest roots, written by two Americans who have a strong and enduring
passion for their country and their faith.
About the Authors
R. Stewart Fisher
Stew Fisher retired from the Navy as a Captain in 1998 after 31 years of service spanning the Vietnam War and Desert Storm.
He attended the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington, D.C., and served in the Secretary of the Navy's Total Quality Leadership Office.
Stew led a helicopter combat search and rescue/special operations squadron in Desert Storm working with Navy SEAL teams and later commanded 2,000 men and women at Naval Air Stations Pt. Mugu, Lemoore, and China Lake, California. He has received numerous awards including the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, and Air Medal.
In his civilian career, Stew has developed The Lighthouse: Advanced Leadership Seminar. It explores the secrets of great leaders, past and present.
Stew is a 1971 cum laude graduate of the Naval Academy and lives in Camarillo, California, where he is a flight instructor and practices the martial art of Aikido. He has four children: Molly, Kelly, Patrick, and John.
Perry J. Martini
Perry Martini, a native of Warren, Ohio, retired from the Navy as a Captain in 1998 after 31 years of service spanning the Vietnam War and the Gulf War.
During his military career, he earned three master's degrees in International Affairs, Business Finance, and Education. Following retirement, he was awarded a doctoral degree with distinction in Education from The George Washington University. He is currently the Director, Executive Leadership Programs with Academy Leadership and an adjunct professor in Organizational Leadership Management and Ethics at Regent University.
During his military career, he commanded a U.S. Navy P-3 squadron and worked directly for the Chairman, JCS and the CNO, and was awarded the Legion of Merit, Defense Distinguished Service Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal.
Perry is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and is the President of the Class of 1971. He and his wife, Jean, reside in Annapolis, Maryland. They have four children: Bernadette, Stephen, Yolanda, and Ellen.
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