Franklin Roosevelt got the adulation but George Catlett Marshall took on difficult jobs as Army chief of staff and yet avoided personal praise. It is a lively, entertaining account of the relationships of great people. Heenan wrote the book with Warren Bennis, professor of business administration at the University of Southern California and consultant to multinational companies and governments. They note that the old industrial age, when pioneers like Henry Ford could make all the big decisions, is being replaced by the Information Age where teamwork is vital to success. If you don't keep them motivated they will walk across the street and be a competitor.
Psychology is at the core of the book's chapters.
The successful co-leaders knew when to assert their egos in talks with superiors and when not to listen to their egos and rise to a higher level of understanding. It is this ability to maintain self esteem, while assuming a secondary position, that is vital, according to Heenan. He said psychology is taught at most business schools but more can be done. Heenan sees interesting relationships in business, sports, education and political worlds. Bernice Pauahi Bishop refused the Hawaiian crown but found another way to improve the condition of her people.