Fables and the Art of Leadership

Fred Rogers is one of the great icons of American culture and the values and philosophy for which he is famous have stood the test of time. Fables and the Art of Leadership brings those same values and philosophy to the workplace, where they're now needed more than ever. This unique and timely work is for everyone who aspires to become and be a better leader. Mister Rogers didn't expound abstract principles to help children face up to the problems they faced; instead, he created and told countless fables and stories. Ian and Donna Mitroff's book uses those fables to help managers master the most difficult challenges they face: achieving significant change; fostering creativity; curbing rudeness; promoting leadership, managing crises, and many more. It is their new interpretations for the workplace that will make Fables and the Art of Leadership a classic in business studies.

"This is an endearing work that is inspired by Mister Rogers' fables and lessons of leadership. Donna and Ian Mitroff recapture these marvelous children's stories while traveling the seven C's of leadership (Connect, Concern, Creativity, Communication, Consciousness, Courage, and Community). It is insightful and heartwarming. They rejoice in the essence of benevolent leadership and true friendship in each of us." - Kurt Motamedi, professor of Strategy and Leadership, Pepperdine University

"Donna and Ian Mitroff's book is destined to transform management and workplaces for generations to come, just as Fred Rogers' imaginative characters and heartwarming stories have deeply shaped multiple generations of children. By seeing how Mister Rogers' lessons on feeling (and not just thinking) and spirituality (and not just materialism) must now become infused into every act of leadership, Fables and the Art of Leadership sets the agenda for how our organizations and nations can successfully address today's mega conflicts and problems." - Ralph H. Kilmann, ceo of Kilmann Diagnostics and co-developer of the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI)

"Donna and Ian Mitroff have written a marvelous book. In an age where we freely toss words around like 'unique,' they have truly written a unique and inspiring book. Every student of business and practitioner should read it. If this were so, it might just revolutionize business education and practice. What better way to produce healthy organizations than by embracing the philosophy of Fred Rogers. As the authors make clear, you learned from Fred when you were a child. We need to learn from him again as adults." - Warren Bennis, professor, University of Southern California, and author of Still Surprised: A Memoir of a Life in Leadership

"The idea of turning our workplaces into neighborhoods is inspirational. It is especially hard to accomplish now that the social compact between organizations and their workers has been broken. Yet it is all the more necessary in these troubled times. Using principles drawn from Mr. Rogers' fables, the authors give us a blueprint that good leaders can use to create a more positive and emotionally healthy workspace." - James Goodrich, dean, College of Business and Economics, CSU Los Angeles

Author Ian I. Mitroff: Ian I. Mitroff is Senior Research Associate at the Center for Catastrophic Risk Management at the Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley, USA; Professor Emeritus of the University of Southern California, USA; and President of Mitroff Crisis Management. Author Donna Mitroff: Donna Mitroff is president and founder of Mitroff & Associates, a children's media consulting group.