RAM CHARAN is an independent consultant and leadership coach. He has been on the faculties of Harvard Business School and the Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University. He is based in Dallas, TX.

STEVE DROTTER is chief executive of Drotter Human Resources, Inc. Prior to starting his own firm, he was Senior VP for Corporate Human Resources at Chase Manhattan in New York. He is based in Berwyn, PA.

JIM NOEL is an independent consultant. He previously held a range of senior HR positions, most recently Vice President of Executive Development at Citibank. He is based in New York City.