Learning from Life

This series of guidebooks draws on the practical knowledge that theCenter for Creative Leadership (CCL) has generated, sinceits inception in 1970, through its research and educationalactivity conducted in partnership with hundreds of thousands ofmanagers and executives. Much of this knowledge is shared-in a waythat is distinct from the typical university department,professional association, or consultancy. CCL is not simply acollection of individual experts, although the individualcredentials of its staff are impressive; rather it is a community,with its members holding certain principles in common and workingtogether to understand and generate practical responses to today'sleadership and organizational challenges. The purpose of the series is to provide managers with specificadvice on how to complete a developmental task or solve aleadership challenge. In doing that, the series carries out CCL'smission to advance the understanding, practice, and development ofleadership for the benefit of society worldwide. Marian N. Ruderman is a research scientist at CCL. Herresearch focuses on the career development of women and the impactof diversity on management development processes. Marian iscurrently project manager of a major study of the choices andtradeoffs of high-achieving women. An associate member of theConsortium for Research on Emotional Intelligence at Work, sheholds a B.A. from Cornell University and an M.A. and Ph.D. inorganizational psychology from the University of Michigan. Patricia J. Ohlott is a research associate at CCL. She iscurrently project manager for CCL's study of the choices andtradeoffs of high-achieving women. Her research interests includethe career development of women managers, the developmental impactof job assignments, and issues relating to the management ofdiversity in organizations. She has a B.A. in psychology from YaleUniversity and is pursuing a Ph.D. at Duke University's FuquaSchool of Business.