Over twelve years ago, the authors collaborated to write their pioneering book, Values-Based Leadership, which launched the values in the workplace movement. Once again, they combine their expertise to boldly champion six uncommon – but very human -- leadership qualities and kick off the next frontier.

Dr. Susan Smith Kuczmarski is an educator, lecturer, and authority on values-based leadership. Trained as a social scientist, she has done extensive research on how leadership skills are learned. She has taught at seven universities, worked in three nonprofit organizations, including the United Nations, and co-founded an innovation consulting firm, Kuczmarski & Associates, in Chicago. She is the author of two award-winning books, The Family Bond and The Sacred Flight of the Teenager. A teacher of teachers for ten years and well-known for her innovative style, Dr. Kuczmarski conducts interactive workshops and seminars on leadership, teams, and culture for corporate, nonprofit, and educational groups. She is a recognized teen, family, and leadership expert, and a lively radio and television guest, viewed by international audiences. She holds a Doctorate in Education and two master's degrees from Columbia University in New York City, where she was named an International Fellow, and an undergraduate degree form Colorado College. She was recently selected for inclusion in 500 Leaders of World Influence, Outstanding People of the 21st Century, 2000 Outstanding Writers of the 20th Century, and International Who's Who of Professional and Business Women, and has been listed in Who's Who in the World for twelve years.

Thomas Kuczmarski is Founder and Senior Partner at Kuczmarski & Associates, a nationally recognized new products and services and innovation management consulting firm. He has written three books on innovation, including Managing New Products, Innovation, and Innovating the Corporation. He co-founded, with the Chicago Sun-Times, the annual Chicago Innovation Awards. For the past 27 years, he has been an adjunct professor of New Products and Services at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Mangement, where he teaches his popular graduate and executive courses on innovation. He was a brand manager at Quaker Oats and a principal at Booz, Allen & Hamilton. He holds two masters degrees in business and international affairs from Columbia University, and a B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross. He is regularly quoted in the Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Newsweek, Investor's Business Daily, USA Today, Advertising Age, and the Chicago Sun-Times. He has appeared on the Today Show, and speaks on the topic of innovation around the world. His research, writing, books, speeches, seminars, teaching, and pragmatic consulting have made him one of the top leading experts in his field. Married for three decades, the authors live in Chicago and are the parents of three sons.