Elites

Douglas Board

Can you rise to the top without losing your soul?

‘Profound, serious, subversive, often very funny’ Financial Times

Across the world, key decisions are made by tiny coteries of political and business leaders. With enough talent, elan and hard work, any of us can join them – so we are told. Follow key rules: be transparent; defer to bosses and clients; take responsibility; feedback is everything. Understand these and the world is our oyster.

But is it? Decades of working with leaders have shown headhunter, executive coach and former NGO chair Douglas Board that it may not be. Many would-be leaders and senior managers fall into traps which block their rise and undermine their self-esteem.

Elites outlines those traps and shows how best to avoid them. Armed with this knowledge, you may want to use it and join the top tier. However, it may also make you reconsider. Knowing how elites work, do you still want to join them? Or can you find ways to change them?

In this authoritative, ground-breaking guide, Board suggests that true fulfilment demands an adventure into the unknown inside ourselves: why do we seek what we seek? Prepare to be surprised.

‘Elites looks as though it is another book about how to rise to the top in business. It turns out to be more interesting, and more profound. This is as much a work of social philosophy as it is a business book. Sharp and often very funny’ Financial Times

‘You might expect Elites to be a simple guide to how to make it or a description of the traits and characteristics of those at the top. Instead, it is something much more interesting and controversial’ Forbes

‘This book couldn’t be more timely. It explains how the barely competent but entitled occupy elite positions in our organisations and in society in general’ Gareth Jones

‘Intriguing…controversial…a quiet revolution in the world of elites’ Management Today

‘Elites gives a no-bullshit new lens through which to view the workplace’ Lynne Embleton, CEO, Aer Lingus

‘Every so often a business book comes along that not only offers great insights and actions but which also views leadership through a different lens. Elites is one such book – and is witty to boot’ The People Space

Paperback: 208pp

Publisher: Eye (March 2021)

ISBN: 9781785632228