The leaders who work most effectively, it seems to me, never say 'I'. They don't think 'I'. They think 'we'; they think 'team'.

For the blue-collar worker, the driving force behind change was factory automation using programmable machine tools. For the office worker, it's office automation using computer technology: enterprise-resource-planning systems, groupware, intranets, extranets, expert systems, the Web, and e-commerce.

The best leaders... almost without exception and at every level, are master users of stories and symbols.

Stellar teams are invariably made up of quirky individuals who typically rub each other raw, but they figure out - with the spiritual help of a gifted leader - how to be their peculiar selves and how to win championships as a team...at the same time.

Have you thanked a front-line employee for carrying around a great attitude ... today?

Vision is dandy, but sustainable company excellence comes from a huge stable of able managers.

I am my clients. I am defined by who I do business with.