ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

About fifteen years ago, a very talented friend of mine, Peter Arcomano, told me that I am a synthesist—a person capable of creating new ways to see things through my observations and the fusion of different ideas, views, and subjects. It was a descriptive that I had not heard before and, out of my respect for all his insights and the depth of our friendship, it stuck with me. I've come to recognize that to write a book like True Alignment, requires one to synthesize a broad range of ideas and sources of knowledge.

The ideas and thinking that led to True Alignment are the result of the work of the great thinkers, those without whose views on the world of business and contributions I would not have found my path. In particular, they are the sages who have in one form or another shaped my thinking on alignment and the study of organizational cultures. These include Edgar Schein, Warren Bennis, Peter Drucker, Jim Collins, Rosabeth Moss Kanter, Stephen Covey, John Kotter, Tom Peters, and Peter Senge. In particular, I am thankful to Bill Schneider, who as both a friend and expert in organizational development, helped further my interest in alignment and encouraged my exploration of cultures.

I will forever be grateful to the late Will Schutz for providing the insights into human behavior and motivation that have become a key contribution to the ideas that evolved into True Alignment. To this end, I am also indebted to Ron Luyet for helping further Will's work. Ron is a gifted teacher, and I am thankful for his support of my approaches to business alignment and his encouragement in writing this book.

I have benefited greatly from a host of colleagues. Foremost among them are Theresa Blanding and Bob Carrothers. Over the span of our relationship, Theresa has patiently listened to me as my thoughts and ideas evolved. I am grateful for her critique and ongoing encouragement in finding the truth and simplicity of the art of business and the power of alignment. She is also a priceless resource in working with the multitude of clients and organizations with whom we have engaged. Bob and I spend invaluable hours in intimate conversation and exploration together. Along with also patiently listening to my thoughts, he has been an unrelenting supporter of my work, provides a constant reminder of its value, and is a positive force in my life. I'd like to give special thanks to my loving brother Dieter who, more than twenty-five years ago, guided me to the path of the work I do and helped me to trust my intuition and imagination.

I am also deeply grateful to the host of colleagues and friends who support my work. While there are far too many to include here, I would like to specifically thank Clyde Horner, Ozzie Gontang, Bill Oyler, Don Myers, Alison Whitmire, Peter Baiardi, John Walker, Bob Berk, Lynn Whitfield, Dick Shorten, Lance Descourouez, Karen O'Connell, John Nirenberg, Michael and Kiffie Hester, Rick Martin, Tom Lockwood, and Doug Gertner for their friendship and encouragement.

I am beholden to our clients and the over 1,000 CEOs and business leaders with whom I have the opportunity to interact every year in my presentations and workshops. They have provided an incredible resource for the application of my work and shared insights that continue to define how valuable alignment is. I cannot express enough my gratitude for letting me into their lives. I also am grateful to the over 15,000 CEO members of Vistage International and TEC, for letting me be a part of their wonderful community for the last twelve years and openly sharing their challenges in business and life, as well as their ideas, with me.

I'd like to thank my agent Maryann Karnich and express my my gratitude to Scott Edelstein for his help and guidance. To Christina Parisi, Michael Sivilli, Barbara Chernow, and the other members of the team at AMACOM Books, I wish to extend my sincere gratitude.

Lastly, I'd like to thank my wife Lori, our children Taylor, Trevor, Teagan and Taylor, my brother Lothar, and my parents Helmut and Christina for supporting, listening, encouraging, and believing in my pursuits. Your love has no boundaries.