What can these pages possibly add to the 19,000 plus books on leadership found on Barnes Noble's website? Four things. First: the vast majority of books on leadership are written from the perspective of the leader. This book focuses on the perspective of the worker, asking the questions, " What do workers want from their leaders so that they feel fulfilled in their jobs? What will motivate them?" Second: many leadership books focus on one slice of the leadership pie, such as vision or communications. This book takes a holistic view by pointing to the connections between the slices. For example, how is vision related to values? What is the proper linkage between performance and rewards and recognition? How is communications related to trust? There are at least 12 pieces of the leadership puzzle, all of which need to cohere. Third: the commonsense principles enumerated in this book are not the result of armchair speculation in an ivy-covered tower. They reflect some lessons learned "in the trenches," while trying to be an effective leader during my 35 years of experience in the corporate world. Fourth: I have written this short primer primarily for "beginners" who are taking their first managerial plunge. It is not my intention to provide detailed elaborations on any aspect of the overview I present. Rather, my intention is to present a "big-picture" outline that will provide a framework for each reader to fill in the details that are pertinent to their new leadership responsibilities. I hasten to note the grizzled veterans can also benefit by reviewing these basic principles.

-- John Heie