Memoirs of a Recovering Autocrat: Revealing Insights for Managing the Autocrat in All of Us

The CEO of McLagen International, a management training and consulting firm, Hallstein explores the place of autocracy in today's workplace and finds that it is doomed as a style of management. Instead, he argues, in our diverse society a ``participative'' philosophy is required in order to create a ``nourishing and supportive community'' with ``dramatic new ways of engaging with others at work and outside work.'' Hallstein's analysis of the weaknesses of ``command and control'' tactics and his personal thoughts, notably on incompetence, competition and collaboration, are enlightening. Ironically, however, he does not satisfactorily answer the questions he raises about what kinds of management practices will work and how. Overall, this work is jagged and often falls short of the mark. (Oct.)