James O'Toole (business figure)

James O'Toole is an American management consultant, business ethicist, and author. He is perhaps best known for his work on corporate culture, leadership, and ethical decision-making in organizations.

O'Toole has held professorships at the University of Southern California (USC) and currently at the University of Oxford. He is the founder and faculty director of the Leadership Initiative at USC's Marshall School of Business.

O'Toole's academic work focuses on the importance of values-based leadership and the role of business in society. He argues that successful businesses must prioritize ethical conduct and contribute to the common good, not just focus on profit maximization. He frequently critiques what he perceives as the overemphasis on short-term financial gains in contemporary business practices.

His books include When Markets Fail: Social and Organizational Implications, Leading Change: Overcoming the Ideology of Comfort and the Tyranny of Custom, Transparency: Gaining Strategic Advantage by Shedding Light on Corporate Performance, Creating the Good Life: The Psychology of Well-Being, The Executive Compass: Steering by Values in Strategy and Leadership, and Good Business. These works explore themes such as the limits of market-based solutions, the challenges of organizational change, the importance of transparency, and the relationship between business and personal well-being. He also co-authored Beyond the Bottom Line: How to Do More With Less, emphasizing sustainability and resource efficiency in business.

O'Toole has been a frequent commentator on business ethics and leadership issues in major publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times, and The New York Times. He consults with companies and organizations across various industries on topics such as strategic planning, organizational culture, and ethical decision-making.