Often, senior corporate positions are associated with stress and lack of time for oneself, one's peers and one's family. However, if someone has the capability to rise to the top professionally, then she also can become emotionally and socially intelligent. All she needs is a little coaching.

A leadership coach and corporate consultant herself, Susan J. Bethanis has written an intimate story of a semi-fictional leader's evolution into a corporate sage. Bethanis takes the reader through an engaging series of coaching sessions, allowing the reader to "eavesdrop" and witness the transformation of Max Sinclair from an over-worked, speedy and demanding executive into a triumphant visionary.

More than just another coaching book, Leadership Chronicles of a Corporate Sage: Five Keys to Becoming a More Effective Leader integrates key leadership principles in story form, allowing the reader to access the coaching information in an understandable and intimate fashion. It's this revealing of the confidential conversations between Max and his coach that make this book a must-have secret weapon. Ms. Bethanis' expertise as a coach and skill as a communicator keeps the narrative universal and allows the reader to feel Max's natural progression as he dedicates himself to becoming a more effective leader.

Max is hesitant when his coach arrives for their first session. He is overwhelmed with work and is too busy to be bothered with a one-hour session of "touchy-feely therapy". However, his coach's calm, friendly and direct approaches, as well as her sports analogies, ease Max into simple exercises to begin the process of leadership growth.

The first lesson: Go Slow to Go Fast. In order to become someone with "executive presence" Max needs to slow down. He's rushing through each encounter of the day, making snap decisions, cutting off new ideas. His coach uses the metaphor of a car being dangerous when it races through city streets in fourth or fifth gear. If Max slows down, he can gather the resources to make better choices. If he slows down, he can do things right the first time, avoiding costly and time-consuming repeats and re-dos.

Slowing down means taking the time to listen as well as being clearer with requests. To achieve a more clear, personal and direct approach with his peers, Max needs to use who? what? when? questions in his everyday requests. Being clear the first time removes tedious repeats, which not only relieves stress, but also builds rapport with co-workers. Max's coach also recommends getting good at small talk to further build these peer relationships. Taking just a moment to connect over something other than the latest deadline will help Max "go slow to go fast".

As Max slows down, he realizes he is able to do more because he is acting wisely, no longer running around putting out fires. After only six months of coaching, Max becomes much more socially and emotionally intelligent. He is a visionary, a globalist and a coach himself. His peers are friendlier towards him, he has more time to spend with his family and he is leading his company down the right path.

Because every detail of each exchange between Max and his coach are captured, each lesson is readily available to the reader. If you've ever wondered what's so special about coaching or if it's for you, Susan Bethanis' book can provide that introduction as well as start you off on your own journey toward becoming a "corporate sage". Leadership Chronicles of a Corporate Sage: Five Keys to Becoming a More Effective Leader is more than just a story; it's a gift for anyone who wants to rise to the top.

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