Be * Know * Do, Adapted from the Official Army Leadership Manual: Leadership the Army Way

The United States Army is one of the most complex, best run organizations in the world, and central to the Army's success are strong leadership and exceptional leadership development. Army leaders must be able to act decisively and effectively in challenging situations. But the Army, despite its organizational structure, does not train leaders in a hierarchical manner. Dispersed leadership is the key to the success of the Army leadership model.

Now, for the first time, you can have access to the Army's successful leadership philosophy and the principles that are outlined in Be Know Do the official Army Leadership Manual. Be Know Do makes this critical information available to civilian leaders in all sectors--business, government, and nonprofit--and gives them the guidelines they need to create an organization where leadership thrives.

Frances Hesselbein is chairperson of governors of the Leader to Leader Institute and editor-in-chief of its journal Leader to Leader. Hesselbein served as CEO of the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. from 1976 to 1990. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States' highest civilian honor.

General Erik Shinseki (Ret.) is the former Chief of Staff of the United States Army. He is widely hailed as the person who led the transformation of the United States Army from a heavy and immobile organization to an effective combat force.

Richard E. Cavanagh is president and CEO of the Conference Board. He joined the Conference Board after serving as executive dean of the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Formerly he worked with McKinsey & Company, Inc.