It Takes 2: Who Is Helping You Lead?

'It takes 2 to make a thing go right! It takes 2 to make it out of sight!'1 Those lyrics are from a 1988 Top 40 platinum-selling song by Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock, who initially made the song with samples from another song written in 1972 by James Brown and performed by Lyn Collins called 'Think (About It).' These lyrics succinctly sum up my convictions as an executive leader. Over the last 20 years, I have served in various executive leadership positions from the federal government to the nonprofit sector to the corporate world, and I felt the need to share experiences--mine and those of others--that have contributed to the success of those organizations. If the greatest basketball player of all times is Michael Jordan, then I would say he never won a ring until Scottie Pippen matured as his sidekick. It may take one to lead a great organization, but it takes two to make it out of sight. It Takes 2: Who is Helping You Lead? is designed to help senior leaders understand the need for having quality executive support leaders on their team and how to find them. Also, the book is designed to inspire and encourage those who serve in executive leadership support roles (affectionately referred to as the 2man or woman) to embrace their uniqueness in helping lead their organizations from the second, third, or fourth chair. These objectives are what sets this book apart from other titles on the same subject because it is written to both leaders and their supporters.