James O'Toole is Research Professor in the Center for Effective Organizations at the University of Southern California (USC). He is also the Mortimer J. Adler Senior Fellow of the Aspen Institute.

O'Toole's research and writings are in the areas of leadership, individual growth and development in the workplace, corporate culture, and philosophy. He has addressed hundreds of major corporations and professional organizations and is the author of fourteen acclaimed books. His latest books are Creating the Good Life: Applying Aristotle’s Wisdom to Find Meaning and Happiness (2005) and The New American Workplace, with Edward Lawler (2006).