EMPIRES OF THE MIND

While the gurus featured in these audios address different aspects of leadership, all agree its main element is integrity. Change, innovation and responsibility are the additional elements Denis Waitley adds in EMPIRES OF THE MIND. His special concern is that leaders adapt to cyberspace technology while refining relationship skills. Waitley's tone rides the line between threat and challenge. Using a warmer approach, Steve Covey also emphasizes integrity amid change in PRINCIPLE-CENTERED LEADERSHIP. Covey is a good reader of his own work, but poor editing makes Covey's sound ideology hard to follow. The text just does not flow. James Kouzes' program, ACHIEVING CREDIBILITY, does flow. He emphasizes that leaders must create trust. While dryer than Covey, Kouzes's presentation is better organized and easier to follow. In HOW LEADERS LEAD, Ken Blanchard teams up with Brian Tracy. Their forum is a dialogue in which they review leadership behavior, including integrity, without sounding smug. MAXIMUM LEADERSHIP is a bit smug. Consultants Charles Farkas and Philippe De Backer describe the leadership practices of well-known companies. This is the only title in the group that doesn't highlight integrity or trust. While their delivery is dry, the case study approach sustains interest. The jewel of this group is ON BECOMING A LEADER. Its author, Warren Bennis, is the grandfather of contemporary leadership. His concept of leadership emphasizes values, ethics, integrity and trust. Bennis's poetic delivery, which is punctuated with classical music, makes this the masterpiece of six good leadership discussions. D.W.K. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT 96]