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“For years I have wanted to find a book I could enthusiastically recommend to people in search of the key elements peculiar to building enduring, great professional firms. Finally, that book exists. The beauty of this work is its combination of fundamental principles refined by hard-won experience. Aligning the Stars is intelligent and practical, comprehensive and readable—and it should be required reading for all leaders, not just in professional firms, but in any complex organization where people must lead without the executive power enjoyed by corporate leaders. The authors have done a magnificent service.” —Jim Collins, Author of Good to Great and Coauthor of Built to Last “This book is almost as good as a Harvard M.B.A. degree. Written by the men who really know, it tells how best to get all members of a business team working toward the same goals. Filled with real-life examples, both good and bad, it combines theoretical concepts with practical how-to-do-it execution. I wish it had been written when I was running Goldman Sachs, except that our competitors might have read it too.” —John C. Whitehead, former Co-Chairman, Goldman Sachs “All partners in professional firms will recognize themselves and their firms in Aligning the Stars. For CEOs, especially those of us who are new to the position, the practical experience and wisdom here provide guidance and comfort. The central theme—that firm practices and structures must fit both the needs of the business and the needs of the individuals who make it succeed—is fundamental to understanding the delicate balance involved in leading talented, independent professionals. The book is a must-read for every professional.” —David W. Heleniak, Senior Partner, Shearman & Sterling “Lorsch and Tierney have finally written, if not the last word, certainly the most definitive word, on professional service firms. There is nothing out there that comes close to catching the nuance, the complexity, and the subtlety of these important institutions and how they are led and managed. Aligning the Stars is a home run.” —Warren Bennis, Distinguished Professor of Business, University of Southern California “The stars of the title are those exceptionally talented people on whom successful businesses increasingly depend. The word is well chosen. Stars can be vain, greedy, insecure, and infinitely time-consuming. But they remain indispensable: Companies without stars will never come in better than second. This invaluable work gives comprehensive guidance on their care and maintenance: how to find, attract, motivate, and reward. A handbook for winners.” —Sir Martin Sorrell, Chief Executive Officer, WPP Group PLC “With clear principles and many stimulating examples, this well-written book will provoke reflection and debate among professional firm leaders.” —David H. Maister, Coauthor of First Among Equals “Revenues for professional service firms have mushroomed nearly ten times in the past twenty years, and they now hire over 60 percent of the M.B.A.s from top schools. Finally, we have a first-rate book that explains the secrets of the very best of these firms—how they almost magically align their stars and their strategies, building trust as they build their own futures. Jay Lorsch and Tom Tierney are sometimes iconoclastic, often provocative, and always, always informative.” —David Gergen, Director, Center for Public Leadership, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University