alexander

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
spiration in my daughter Jamie, who by third grade was a
regular publisher of books at school, and who inspired, cajoled,
and generally encouraged me to complete this work.
My son Max is the king of the household, so I learned a lot
about leading from him. Mindi Righter and her husband,
Jeff, and my grandson, Neo, stayed in the background, offering
encouragement by their presence and patience. Florri
Mendelson is a gifted manager and taught me much about
leadership, people, and organizations. My brother Matt is a
daily influence on my life, and any wise decisions I make
are, in part, attributable to his love. Since my mother’s
death, my sister Sue Heine and her husband, Larry, have
been my life’s rudder. Much of my success is attributable to
them. May my father, John, enjoy this book. May Ben learn
from it. Bill would have devoured it.
Friends make everything possible. First and foremost,
Michael and Wendy Kumer have stood by me more than
any friends should be expected to. They kept me sane while
I finished this work. Mark Seabright has been there for me
as long as I have been sentient. Firdaus Bagasrawala was
encouraging at a critical point. Norna Kissane has been supportive
for more than a decade. Meg Brindle helped me to
refine my thoughts on enactment, and I owe her a professional
thank you. Of my colleagues, Jim Weber has been
the most chronically supportive, although many unnamed
colleagues of mine at Duquesne, unbeknownst to them,
have nurtured me. Clients and business associates too numerous
to name influenced my developing thoughts about
leadership, some without realizing the importance of their
influence, but a few warrant mention: Bob Bozzone, Linda