Leadership Takes On, Well, Leading Importance

ByJohn S. McClenahen CEOs such as W. James McNerney Jr. at 3M Co., St. Paul, Minn., are stressing leadership development and creating corporate leadership institutes to put their words into practice. Expect to see more such moves in 2004, advises the Herman Group, a Greensboro, N.C.-based consulting firm. "Up-and-coming managers will be expected to learn and practice leadership skills before being moved into senior or even midlevel positions," the firm predicts. And "senior executives not demonstrating leadership qualities will be asked to leave," it adds.