The Art of Possibility or Where Have All the Leaders Gone

The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life

Author: Rosamund Stone Zander

Presenting twelve breakthrough practices for bringing creativity into all human endeavors, The Art of Possibility is the dynamic product of an extraordinary partnership. The Art of Possibility combines Benjamin Zander's experience as conductor of the Boston Philharmonic and his talent as a teacher and communicator with psychotherapist Rosamund Stone Zander's genius for designing innovative paradigms for personal and professional fulfillment.

The authors' harmoniously interwoven perspectives provide a deep sense of the powerful role that the notion of possibility can play in every aspect of life. Through uplifting stories, parables, and personal anecdotes, the Zanders invite us to become passionate communicators, leaders, and performers whose lives radiate possibility into the world.

BusinessWeek

. . . those looking to rethink their lives may find that the Zanders have hit just the right note.

Publishers Weekly

In a lively, sensible manual for turning life's obstacles into possibilities, the Zanders introduce various "tools" for transformation, drawing on their extensive experiences with musicians, students and patients in therapy (Rosamund is a psychotherapist and painter; Benjamin is the conductor of the Boston Philharmonic). In a chapter entitled "Giving an A," for example, Benjamin relates a classroom technique that allows students to envision their own futures: all students in his class receive an A if they write him a postdated letter relating "the story of what will have happened to you by next May that is in line with this extraordinary grade." Other chapters emphasize practices such as thinking in terms of making a personal "contribution" rather than stark "success or failure"; "lightening up" in order to see a problem from a new perspective (e.g., a patient of Rosamund's was able to have a sensual experience with her husband even though she was angry at him); and reassessing "frameworks for possibility" (e.g., a teacher shaved her head in order to "reframe the meaning" of a hairless class member who had leukemia). The authors' emphasis on "practice," the importance of "flow" and the joy in creation and expression is apt and often truly inspiring. Although not groundbreaking, the Zanders' suggestions constitute sound, practical advice that has much in common with Zen concepts of holism, balance and grace. (Oct.) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.|

What People Are Saying

Klaus Schwab
The passionate energy permeating The Art of Possibility is a true force for every reader for self-development and life fulfillment.

Doris Kearns Goodwin
This is a wise, uplifting and important work, a seamless blend of insight and inspiration, personal revelations, and stories drawn from the worlds of art, psychology, business and politices.

Warren Bennis
The Zanders' book of practices has made my life one of the infinite possibility. Each day, since reading it, has been perfect. The implications for corporate and political life are extraordinary.

Margaret J. Weatley
I truly want everyone to read this book-it opens us to the treasures of our great human capacity for creativity.

Interesting textbook: The Millionaire Next Door or Let My People Go Surfing

Where Have All the Leaders Gone?

Author: Lee Iacocca

The most widely recognized business executive of all time asks the tough questions that America's leaders must address:

What is each of us giving back to our country?

Do we truly love democracy?

Are we too fat and satisfied for our own good?

Why is America addicted to oil?

Do we really care about our children's futures?

Who will save the middle class?

Lee Iacocca believes that leaders are made in times of crisis—such as today. He has known more leaders than almost anybody else—including nine U.S. presidents, many heads of state, CEOs of the nation's top corporations, celebrities, and even a pope—and is uniquely suited to share his wisdom, knowledge, and wit about the leadership of America. Lee Iacocca does not mince words, and in Where Have All the Leaders Gone? he offers his no-nonsense, straight-up assessments of the American politicians most likely to run for president in 2008. He also shares his lessons learned, and issues a call to action to summon Americans back to their roots of hard work, common sense, integrity, generosity, and optimism.

Where have all the leaders gone? Lee Iacocca has the answer.

Sarah Statz Cords - Library Journal

Business icon Lee Iacocca has cultivated a reputation as a straight talker, and he lives up to it in this engaging treatise. Using a lifetime's worth of business examples from Ford (where he was president) and Chrysler (where he was CEO), as well as his charitable endeavors, he makes his case that better leadership is needed to regain America's social and economic greatness. In 21 chapters, arranged somewhat arbitrarily into four sections questioning America's lack of leadership, fragile global relationships, capitalism, and future, Iacocca tackles such broadly ranging subjects as the prospective 2008 presidential candidates, the war in Iraq, our (lack of an) energy policy, globalization's challenges, and his own retirement. His mix of straightforward lists (e.g., nine qualities of leadership) and conversational asides makes for fast reading, although many readers may be surprised by his level of vitriol toward George W. Bush ("the President of the United States is given a free pass to ignore the Constitution, tap our phones, and lead us to war on a pack of lies"). His status as an icon of commerce and a best-selling author (Iacocca) demands this book's purchase by all public and corporate libraries, but its lack of sourcing or index may make it an optional purchase for undergraduate libraries.

Library Journal

Iacocca stays upbeat in this assessment of issues like family values, job security, and the Iraq war. With a five-city tour. Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

Table of Contents:

Acknowledgments     xi
Where Have All the Leaders Gone?     1
Had enough?     3
People and priorities: It's that simple     15
Can you show me where it's working?     25
Aren't we supposed to be the good guys?     33
How much do we love democracy?     39
Where Have All Our Friends Gone?     57
Will the real leader of the free world please stand up?     59
Meet the coalition of the UNwilling     75
What will we do for oil?     89
Free trade must be fair trade     101
Don't fence me in ... or out     111
Is Capitalism Letting Us Down?     125
Where does all the money go?     127
Will we ever trust corporate America again?     137
Chrysler's lesson: Resist the urge to merge     151
Can anyone around here run a car company?     165
Who will save the middle class?     185
The blame game is killing us     195
Can America Be Great Again?     203
Are we too fat and satisfied for our own good?     205
Bring back brain power     215
Three men who taught me to lead     223
Get off the golf course and DO something     237
2008: A call to action     257
Index     265