Just as it is an illusion to claim “This is the War that ends all Wars”, it may be presumptuous
to think that one can write a book that addresses all needs of all leaders, now and forever. I
do feel the need however to bring a story that goes beyond the partial or fragmented
messages of many management books. I also want to break down some misconceptions
and limiting beliefs about leadership and motivation.
My story wants to emphasise the awesome responsibility of leaders in organisations and
denounce the toxic environment that traditional management nurtures with its manipulative
rather than inspirational approach. As ever-learning and aspirational leader myself, I
want to confess the error of my ways as corporate manager in the past 30 years. I also want
to share my insights gained as consultant in the past 10. Both periods gave me the benefits of
a wide range of personal encounters and showed me the diversity of organisations beyond the
corporate.