Leadership and the Computer: how executives enhance their leadership with IT by Mary E. Boone. (1987)

Interviews with CEOs that demonstrate the value of IT to leadership and to business strategies.

Computers have transformed the way people do business. Leaders who have harnessed the power of the computer to communicate, coach, convince, and compete have an edge over those who have not.

In this ground-breaking book, Mary E. Boone interviews sixteen of North America's most successful and forward-looking top executives.

Here, they reveal how their hands-on relationship with computers is dramatically improving their ability to lead effectively and competitively.

These pioneering executives should stimulate your thinking on how you can use technologies to augment your capabilities as a leader.

Among the leaders are:

• Ron Compton, CEO, Aetna Life & Casualty Co.

• Debbi Fields, Chairman, Mrs. Field's Cookies, Inc.

• Sandy Sigoloff, CEO, LJ Hooker Corporation

• Thomas Stephens, Chairman, CEO, and President, Manville Corporation

• William Esrey, President and CEO, United Telecom, and Chairman and CEO, US Sprint

• Gordon Humphrey, Senator, New Hampshire

Leadership and the Computer is essential reading for IT internal business consultants (BRM) and top executives alike.

Format: paperback, 397 pages. $14.95 US

Table of Contents....

What people have said about the book:

In a set of 16 interviews with business and political leaders, Boone explores the ways that leaders in their particular fields have taken advantage of the computer as a better management tool. She demonstrates how executives "who have actually rolled up their sleeves have greater insights into the power of computers as leadership... tools." Boone examines the various myths regarding computer use and, without getting into the technical aspects, shows how managers can determine their particular needs.

V.A. Munch, Montville Twp. P.L., N.J.

Boone's book is a cogent call to eradicate computer illiteracy in the executive suite.... Boone systematically cuts through the most common excuses used by executives to avoid dealing with computers....She also provides a pivotal chapter on acquiring a computer system.

Peter Kentor, Financial Times of Canada

Each profile is a valuable example of how computers can be used to advance a management plan or vision.... Non-computing executives as well as advanced button-pushers are likely to find it interesting.

Peter H. Lewis, The New York Times

This is no 30-nanosecond-manager pop business book of platitudes -- the information is drawn from real-world experience and solid reasoning.

David Strom, Network Computing