TITLE : TAKING CHARGE: STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP IN THE MIDDLE GAME.

A book, like a business, needs to have a purpose-a mission. Ours is to inspire middle-level managers to challenge their leadership abilities and to empower those who take this challenge to meet it. Leadership in work organizations in the decade ahead will be more demanding, more complex, and more frustrating than it has ever been before. It has the potential to be more creative, more energizing, and more meaningful, particularly for those who are willing to embrace the many changes taking place in the economy, society, and themselves as they reach the middle levels of organizations.

In our view, the role o f managers in strategic leadership is to: (1) understand several key concepts about strategy, planning, and organizational processes, (2) identify the mission, vision, goals, and objectives of their business unit,. (3) assess their skills and personal preferences for leading others, and (4) enhance their capacity for strategic leadership through applying the concepts proposed, practicing the skills identified, and pursuing work opportunities and other career options that can develop their strategic thinking. The organization's role in this process is to balance the traditions of the past with its vision of the future.

Taking Charge: Strategic Leadership in the Middle Game is for managers and students of management who are seeking new ideas, concepts, and skills that they can apply to their work situations. It is for the serious manager, the person who is actively seeking ways to improve the organization as well as him or herself. Taking Charge is not a book of quick fixes and formulas; we offer no magic words that can quickly transform an average employee to a charismatic leader. What we do is provide a series of frameworks that can alter the way managers think about issues, help them to define things in ways that are more understandable and acceptable to others, and begin a development process that can lead to new skill proficiencies.

Taking Charge is written for a general audience of managers, leaving the technical detail of its research underpinnings to footnotes and academic journal articles. Our research began 10 years ago and has involved several thousand managers at nearly every level of the organizational hierarchy. In many ways, this book is theirs, as we have learned from them how to fulfill the role of middle manager more effectively and develop skills that will enable them to be more successful senior managers.

The size of this undertaking is indicated by the large number of managers involved as well as a team of colleagues who worked with us in gaining access to corporations, collecting and analyzing data, and disseminating the results. Expressions of gratitude must start with those who have had the gTeatest effect on our thinking: Dale Zand, Robert Longman, Joel DeLuca, and Henry Mintzberg. These individuals have provided new and insightful ways to understand strategic leadership. Others have influenced us through our interactions and business activities with them, including Susan Berger, Sabra Brock, Susan DeLuca, Anne Hayden, Robert Kaplan, Dorothy Kramer, David Kreischer, Richard Lepsinger, Pat Martocci, Ed Mills, F. Anthony Orbe, Bob Powell, Milt Reisman, Lorna Simon, Barbara Stahl, Richard Straus, Candace Ulrich, Steve Wall, Randy White, Trish Williams, Bill Wingate, and numerous other colleagues and associates who have provided us with the opportunity to learn and grow. Still others who have contributed to this book are part of a team, known as the Management Simulation Projects Group at New York University, who worked together in the development and use of many of the concepts presented in Taking Charge: Catherine Ahern, Maria Arnone, Debra Barrows, Hrach Bedrosian, Roger Dunbar, Jane Dutton, Richard Green, Susan Heinbuch, Mary McBride, Mabel Miguel, Sidney Nachman, and Monica Shay.

A particular thank you needs to go to John Willig and June Sanns, both at Prentice-Hall. John for his belief in the ideas contained in the book and his support throughout the project; and June for her ever cheerful but determined approach to editing. We thank you both.

Most importantly, we appreciate the support of our families who both encouraged us and tolerated us during the weekends and late nights of writing and editing. To Maria and Eugene and Nancy, Katie, and Samatha, our heartfelt thanks.