Warren G. Bennis

Leadership Theory and Administrative Behavior: The Problem of Authority

The problem of authority has been selected as the critical dimension through which various theories and practices of organizational behavior are expressed. Following a discussion of the confusions and lacunae in leadership theory, a review of philosophies, ideologies, and practices is presented that identifies two major movements: the traditional theorists and the human relations proponents. Some attention is given to the contemporary revisions and models that endeavor to ameliorate the tensions between the aforementioned movements. Finally, an explication of leadership is presented that attempts to account for the efficacy of certain leadership propositions with respect to a priori criteria of organizational effectiveness.1 Warren G. Bennis is associate professor of industrial management in the School of Industrial Management at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The challenges of leadership in the modern world: Introduction to the special issue.

This article surveys contemporary trends in leadership theory as well as its current status and the social context that has shaped the contours of leadership studies. Emphasis is placed on the urgent need for collaboration among social-neuro-cognitive scientists in order to achieve an integrated theory, and the author points to promising leads for accomplishing this. He also asserts that the 4 major threats to world stability are a nuclear/biological catastrophe, a world-wide pandemic, tribalism, and the leadership of human institutions. Without exemplary leadership, solving the problems stemming from the first 3 threats will be impossible.

REINVENTING THROUGH REENGINEERING

Reinventing through, reengineering targets traditional business practices to renew leadership and optimize an enterprises competitive position and shareholder value. This article dispels the myths that have led to unsuccessful reengineering efforts, discusses the elevated role of information technology in the reengineering process, and presents a comprehensive reengineering work plan for achieving a true enterprisewide transformation.

None of us is as smart as all of us [creative collaborations]

The authors discusses the success of creative collaborations. They consider the importance of strong leadership. The groups studied were as disparate as the Walt Disney studio, which invented the animated feature, and the Manhattan Project, which gave the world the first atomic bomb. They included both Lockheed Skunk Works, which pioneered the stealth technology deployed so dramatically in the Persian Gulf War, and Black Mountain College, a tiny, ground-breaking arts school that flourished for a time in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Managing the Dream: Leadership in the 21st Century

Given the nature of change and the transnational challenges facing American business leadership, the key to making the right choices will come from understanding and embodying the leadership qualities necessary to succeed in the volatile and mercurial global economy. To survive in the twenty‐first century, we are going to need a new generation of leaders – leaders, not managers, and the distinction is an important one.

Great groups and leaders

Warren Bennis, distinguished professor of business administration and founding chairman of the Leadership Institute at the University of Southern California, is one of the world’s foremost authorities on business culture and leadership. He has acted as adviser to four US presidents and is the author of over 2,000 articles and author or editor of 25 books, including the best selling Leaders and On Becoming a Leader, both translated into 21 languages. His most recent books, Organizing Genius: The Secrets of Creative Collaboration (1997) and Co‐leaders (1999), focus on his major interests of leadership, change, great groups and powerful partnerships.

The seven ages of the leader

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