Conventional business wisdom advocates stern measures for stern times, but Pfeffer (organizational behavior, Stanford U.) has proof that, for example, slashing benefits and increasing threats cause good employees to leave, taking with them good customers. In 28 short chapters Pfeffer faces down serious management situations, armed with significant data as well as theory, and proves that people-centered strategies work better than following the myths and half-truths of conventional business wisdom. He covers nurturing customer relationships, building business communities and smarter companies, encouraging employee self-leadership, supporting employees rather than picking their pockets, building trust, selecting employees for their potential, knowing what your organization really does, working and requiring reasonable hours, refusing to lose, rewarding real performance, working positively with unions, being realistic about executive pay and stopping corporate misdeeds. Thinking intelligently and sensitively? Wow, that just might work. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)