Top-down authority structures turn employees into bootlickers, breed pointless struggles for political advantage, and discourage dissent.

An enterprise that is constantly exploring new horizons is likely to have a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining talent.

The real damper on employee engagement is the soggy, cold blanket of centralized authority. In most companies, power cascades downwards from the CEO. Not only are employees disenfranchised from most policy decisions, they lack even the power to rebel against egocentric and tyrannical supervisors.

Management innovation is going to be the most enduring source of competitive advantage. There will be lots of rewards for firms in the vanguard.

To escape the curse of commoditization, a company has to be a game-changer, and that requires employees who are proactive, inventive and zealous.

A titled leader relies heavily on positional power to get things done; a natural leader is able to mobilize others without the whip of formal authority.