BizEd

JanFeb2003

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is that the field of HRD is still evolv- ing, and thus its understanding of and promotion of ethical behavior is still somewhat undefined—but full of promise. "Can we relinquish responsibility to top management so easily? Human resource development professionals are just as guilty and the profession of HRD is as culpable as any CEO or top manager," Hatcher writes. Thus if HRD profes- sionals understand the necessity of ethical behavior, they can be at the forefront of defining corporate codes of ethics and training employees in socially responsible behavior. But to lead the charge, they first have to understand the issues; and that's the mission of this book. (Perseus Publishing, $32.50) Brave New World Order The great corporate leaders of the past are giving way to the volatile young Internet geniuses of the pres- ent, and the baton is being handed over in a world that has changed so completely in 50 years that virtually none of its touchstones are the same. Scary? Not to Warren G. Bennis and Robert J. Thomas, who compare the leadership styles and basic psychology of the two groups in the entertaining new book Geeks & Geezers. Their premise is that Participate in AACSB/EBI Stakeholder Assessment Studies: Comprehensive, Confidential, Cost Effective surveying of: • Undergraduate business graduating students • Full-time and part-time MBA graduating students • Undergraduate and MBA alumni • Business school faculty • Also available from EBI, the MBA Administrative Study, which provides comparative data on program budgeting, staffing, curriculum, etc. – the data you need when budgets are tight Compare results with schools of your choice Build longitudinal comparisons over time Administer surveys in paper or (NEW!) online using a web-based format Enrollment deadlines: • To include December graduates, enroll by mid-November. • For Spring Survey administration enrollment is open until early April. • Administrative study, enroll by mid-January. Questions? Call Scott Buechler at 919-928-8258 or email Scott@webebi.com. Enroll today at www.webebi.com. For other AACSB Knowledge Services products, visit www.aacsb.edu/knowledgeservices. leaders are partly a product of their eras, partly a product of some defin- ing "crucible" of experience—and only partly a product of their own individual characteristics. The authors offer concise descrip- Whether you're geek, geezer, or middle-aged management pro who falls somewhere in between, you'll be intrigued by the thesis offered up here. tions of the two contrasting eras under consideration. Geezers, who grew up in the "Era of Limits," were formed by the experiences of World War II. They value security, believe in a reward system, revere a list of heroes, and are highly patriotic. Geeks, who grew up in the "Era of Options," are accustomed to constant change and value experimentation. Geeks have few common heroes and are focused on achieving balance in life. Geezers are built for endurance; geeks are wired for speed. These two wildly different creatures do share some leader- ship traits, the most critical one being an adaptive capacity, what the authors call "the defining competence of everyone who retains his or her ability to live well despite life's inevitable change and losses." They also have undergone life-changing experiences—from imprisonment to extraordinary mentoring—that have inspired them in their search for achievement. The book is peppered with anecdotes from both the geezers (all over 70 years old) and the geeks (all under 35). An appendix lists the impressive credentials of the 25 geezers and 18 geeks whose experi- ences make up the basis for the book. Whether you're geek, geezer, or middle-aged management pro who falls somewhere in between, you'll be intrigued by the thesis offered up here. (Harvard Business School Press, $26.95) Quick Looks Gary B. Brumback's Tall Perform - ance from Short Organizations Through We/Me Power presents a strategy for managing organizations through teams that are self- motivated, empowered, and ethical. BizEd JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2003 59

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