Acknowledgments

I owe a large debt to the 28 distinguished thinkers and authors who have contributed to this book. Organization 21C would never have been materialized without the generous support of Derek F. Abell, Michael Beer, Richard E. Boyatzis, David L. Bradford, W. Warner Burke, James A. Champy, Allan R. Cohen, Jay A. Conger, Samuel A. Culbert, Christopher DeRose, Dexter Dunphy, David Finegold, Elizabeth Florent-Treacy, Rob Goffee, Robert L. Heneman, Harvey A. Hornstein, Gareth Jones, Andrew Kakabadse, Manfred F. R. Kets de Vries, Edward E. Lawler III, Nigel Nicholson, Vladimir Pucik, Edgar H. Schein, Scott J. Schroeder, Wendy K. Schutt, Scott N. Taylor, Noel M. Tichy, and Victor H. Vroom. I very much appreciate the donation of time and effort of each of these individuals for the sake of this project. Their dedication and invaluable insights on their work have been a great inspiration for me.

A great colleague, a true friend, and a mentor—Richard Beckhard's works have been a inspiration to us all. I am honored to lead this international book project in his memory.

I owe a tremendous intellectual debt to Peter F. Drucker—a pioneer and the greatest management thinker of our time. His writings inspire me every day.

I am also grateful to all the personal assistants and research associates who represent the direct links to the Organization 21C contributors.

I am very lucky to have had the opportunity to work with my editor, Jim Boyd. Also, thanks to my publisher Jeff Pepper, and Richard Stagg at Financial Times Prentice Hall.

I would like to thank Amanda Thompson and Laura Burgess of Financial Times Prentice Hall for their continuous support and assistance.

Special thanks to everyone at my organization, ASI—American Supplier Institute—for their continuous encouragement.

My gratitude to Dick Beckhard's wife, Sandra Barty, who wholeheartedly supported this project from its infancy.

Special thanks to Organization Development Network (www.odnetwork.org) for establishing the Dick Beckhard Fund to honor Dick's legacy. Supported by funds from this book, the project will strive to create Organization Development mentorship opportunities in venues throughout the world.

I am grateful to my parents, Sushil and Krishna Chowdhury, for their continuous encouragement.

This book would never have been made a reality without the support of my wife, Malini.

—Subir Chowdhury
Novi, Michigan