Geeks and Geezers.

In the book "Geeks and Geezers," Warren Bennis and Robert Thomas continue their exploration of exceptional leadership by sharing the stories of a number of great leaders--some over 70 years of age and the others under 35 years old. This book is not as much about how these two generations differ, but about the experiences that influenced their rise to leadership.

Although the formative experiences of each generation were very different, all experienced transformational experiences that Bennis and Thomas call "crucibles." This experience is explained as a "hero's journey" about which a narrative emerges: "A story of how he or she was challenged, met that challenge, and became a new and better self."

As it's tempting at a gut level to find fault with generations other than our own, this exploration of the strengths of two different generations provides hope. It seems that a key to leadership, from whatever generation one might be, lies in being able to learn from experience, while understanding that the most difficult experiences may be the best teachers.

Bennis, Warren and Robert Thomas. (2002). "Geeks and Geezers." Boston: Harvard Business School Press.

Reviewed by George Manthey, A CSA assistant executive director, educational services