Success Can Kill You: One man’s story of success, failure and forgiveness

Rodney Jetton became the second youngest House Speaker in Missouri state history only four years after being elected to the state legislature. He is still the only Missouri Speaker in the term-limited era to serve more than two years in office. He was a powerful force in the Republican Party and on the fast track to becoming Governor of Missouri, when his personal life exploded as he went through a very public and humiliating fall.

On December 7, 2009, he was arrested for felony assault after a one-night stand with a woman he connected with on Facebook. Soon after that, he received a call from a former girlfriend telling him she was pregnant and he was going to be a father at the age of 42. Then, just a few weeks later, Rod found out he was the target of a grand jury investigation from his handling of a bill when he was Speaker.

Politicians, pastors, businessmen, church leaders and corporate executives all pour their lives into attaining success. Hearing Rodney’s testimony of how the pursuit of power and his unparalleled political success almost destroyed his life is one that anyone in a leadership position should take advantage of.

His candid way of explaining his mistakes and pointing out the dangers of putting his career in front of his faith and family will be of great benefit to driven leaders focused on accomplishing their goals. Rodney’s ability to identify the early warning signs of pride, bitterness and paranoia in his life are exactly the type of cautionary advice anyone who is experiencing success needs to hear. Rodney does a great job of keeping the reader’s interest with forthright stories, useful illustrations and sound advice. Thoughtful leaders would be wise to read this book and heed the warnings gleaned from his mistakes.