May 1, 1995
Quasi-religiosity drives this sanctimonious parable on leadership by the coauthors of Reframing Organizations. This is the scenario: Steve, an executive, makes several visits to his spiritual guide, Maria, who instructs him that spirit and soul are the essence of leadership. As we follow his path to enlightenment, we learn that during Steve's trip to Singapore to visit his firm's newest acquisition, a factory worker hugged him. Maria praises him: ``Love worked for you.'' But Steve receives no hugs in the Topeka branch, and this troubles him and Maria (the reader wonders if perhaps their labor union protected these American workers from having to grovel before the boss). During other sessions, Steve tells Maria about his fiancee, who insists he go to church every other Sunday; on one occasion, pupil and spiritual guide simply sit by a stream and watch a leaf float by. 25,000 first printing.