The Spider’s Strategy: Creating Networks to Avert Crisis, Create Change and Really Get Ahead

Acknowledgments

New acquaintances often say, “I’m thinking of pursuing a doctorate. What would you suggest?” Every time, I reply with a question, “Are you a masochist?” I pause to enjoy the startled look on the person’s face before continuing, “Because if you aren’t, don’t do it.” I wish some author had thrown that response back at me the first time I said, “I’m thinking about writing a book on management.” I suspect that if you hold a doctorate or are an author, you are ruefully chuckling about my observation right now!

I learned another lesson during the years I spent researching and writing this book: though the author’s name goes on the cover, a book really cannot be written without the extreme kindness of friends, family, and strangers. Indeed, ...