JAY A. CONGER, an internationally known author, speaker, and educator, is executive director of the Leadership Institute and a professor of business administration at the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California. Business Week has recognized Conger as the nation's best professor of executive leadership. GRETCHEN M. SPREITZER is an assistant professor of business administration at the University of Southern California. She is a recognized expert on empowerment and leadership. EDWARD E. LAWLER is a professor of business administration at the University of Southern California and founder and director of the Center for Effective Organizations. He was named by Business Week as one of the country's leading management experts.