This series of guidebooks draws on the practical knowledge that the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) has generated, since its inception in 1970, through its research and educational activity conducted in partnership with hundreds of thousands of managers and executives. Much of this knowledge is shared-in a way that is distinct from the typical university department, professional association, or consultancy. CCL is not simply a collection of individual experts, although the individual credentials of its staff are impressive; rather it is a community, with its members holding certain principles in common and working together to understand and generate practical responses to today's leadership and organizational challenges.
The purpose of the series is to provide managers with specific advice on how to complete a developmental task or solve a leadership challenge. In doing that, the series carries out CCL's mission to advance the understanding, practice, and development of leadership for the benefit of society worldwide.

Kim Kanaga is the director of CCL's Greensboro Campus, overseeing all campus site resources and day-to-day activities in support of CCL's strategic direction. He has an extensive background in team-building initiatives, which he has used to customize team effectiveness programs for many CCL clients. Kim holds a Ph.D. in communication from Michigan State University.

Sonya Prestridge is a senior program associate in the custom solutions group at CCL. She has been an instructor in The Women's Leadership Program and a researcher investigating geographically dispersed teams. She holds a Ph.D. in adult education from the University of North Carolina at ChapelHill.