The taboos of leadership : the 10 secrets no one will tell you about leaders and what they really think / Anthony F. Smith ; foreword by Steven M. Bornstein.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 153-154) and index.

Foreword / Steven M. Bornstein -- Introduction -- Taboos and leadership -- Secret 1: We know what leadership looks like (but we don't know what it takes) -- Taboos of persuasion -- Secret 2: Charisma shouldn't make a difference (but it does) -- Secret 3: Real leaders don't play politics (they take it very seriously) -- Secret 4: Women make better leaders (when that's what they really want to do) -- Taboos of position -- Secret 5: The double standard is for cavemen (and the corner office) -- Secret 6: Thou shalt not play favorites with friends and family (except when it makes a lot of sense) -- Secret 7: A leader's fundamental duty is to groom a successor (but it hurts like hell) -- Taboos of the person -- Secret 8: Leaders need to demonstrate work-life balance (no problem, work is their life) -- Secret 9: Blatant self-interest is dangerous (in followers, not leaders) -- Secret 10: It's lonely at the top (but leaders wouldn't have it any other way) -- Our taboos are exposed, so now what?