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During a period of enforced solitude during the Covid-19 pandemic, Manfred Kets de Vries became introspective, reflective, and considered how executives could emerge from unprecedented global events. The result is a collection of 23 thought-provoking and focused chapters to help executives take stock and re-evaluate their path during a time of uncertainty.

Beginning with essays on 'Managing Self,' Kets de Vries starts with people's search for meaning and how we can deal with this important question. Given our need for meaning, the question of human energy is discussed. What gives executives energy? What makes them feel alive? How best to use this energy? Several essays in this section deal with the effects of the pandemic on people's perception and management of time.

The second section focuses on leadership and highlights several executive types you've probably encountered at work and struggle to deal with; complainers, belligerent people, and borderlines, will be part of this parade. Also touching upon mental health issues and how organizations should deal with this, this section gives a deep insight into the leadership issues that we now face in what might be termed 'the new normal.'

Finally, Kets de Vries places societal issues under the microscope. Tackling a multitude of interrelated topics, he explores the challenges of bringing in democratic processes into organizational settings, as well as the perils of loneliness and the issues faced by women in organization - and how society can better deal with it.   

Littered with Manfred Kets de Vries' trademark wit and psychological insight into the pressing issues of today, these essays can be read independently or as part of a guided tour around the daily perils of executive life.

The Daily Perils of Executive Life: How to Survive When Dancing on Quicksand

Preface

PART 1: MANAGING SELF

Chapter 1: What do the five pillars of meaning mean to you?

Chapter 2: How do you rate on your "energy barometer"?

Chapter 3: Are you creating "eureka moments"?

Chapter 4: Is revenge a dish best served not at all?

Chapter 5: How to cultivate patience in an impatient world

Chapter 6: Making Groundhog Day a learning experience

Chapter 8: The triumph of hope over experience

PART 2: LEADERSHIP

Chapter 9: How is your shadow side treating you?

Chapter 10: Everything is bad: Complaining as a way of life

Chapter 11: The belligerent ("B") personality

Chapter 12: Managing "on the borderline"

Chapter 13: How do you deal with people with mental problems?

Chapter 14: What is the person really telling me?

Chapter 15: Are you working in a trust-based organization?

Chapter 16: Co-leadership: A curse or a blessing?

Chapter 17: Onboarding or unboarding?

PART 3: SOCIETY

Chapter 18: Is democracy in the workplace a mirage?

Chapter 19: The societal costs of loneliness

Chapter 20: Bluebeard revisited

Chapter 21: Do we get the leaders we deserve?

Chapter 22: Why do societies regress?

Chapter 23: Drinking the Kool-Aid