The New Rules: How to Succeed in Today's Post-Corporate World

John P. Kotter. The New Rules: How to Succeed in Today's PostCorporate World. New York: The Free Press, 1995, 239 pages, $25.00.

Reviewed by Mark L. Lengnick-Hall, Associate Professor of Management, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS.

John Kotter's latest book is a fascinating account of the careers of 115 Harvard MBA graduates from the class of 1974. The author has followed the careers of these MBA graduates over the past 20 years using both surveys and in-depth interviews. The book provides insights into the Harvard MBA program, its students, and-the author suggests-career strategies for the "post-corporate" world. I found the book worthwhile despite several serious weaknesses.

The title suggests that this book is intended for anyone contemplating career choices for the future, but I think it is somewhat misleading. Although some of the "new rules" apply to virtually everyone (e.g., New Rule #2 exhorts that "to succeed, one must capitalize on the opportunities available in the faster-moving and more competitive business environment while avoiding the many hazards inherent in such an environment"), others seem more oriented specifically to MBAs (e.g., New Rule #4 which describes the "slimming down" of big organizations and the opportunities available "for small distributors, suppliers, and especially business consultants"). Consequently, those who pick up this book expecting a general blueprint for success will be sorely disappointed. On the other hand, because the author's conclusions are drawn from a longitudinal study of MBA graduates at a leading business school, many MBA students and graduates will likely find this book's career advice useful.

One of the problems with this book is the author's seeming confusion about his intended audience. The title suggests the intended audience includes anyone who...