The Inner Work of Leaders: Leadership as a Habit of Mind.

• Author: Marshall, Jeffrey
• Position: Review

By Barbara Mackoff and Gary Wenet. Amacom, 226 pages. $24.95.

This isn't purely a business book, and many of the people profiled aren't executives. But The Inner Work of Leaders takes a fascinating, anecdotal look at how respected leaders think and act -- and inspire those around them. Written by a pair of Seattle-based psychologists, the book is based on an extensive series of interviews with more than 50 people about how they approached, and responded to, leadership challenges.

Apart from Sara Lee CEO John Bryan, few business icons draw more than an occasional mention. Though they may not be household names, the interviewees are accomplished, acknowledged leaders, talking in their...