I was saddened to learn of Warren Bennis‘ death this past Thursday in Los Angeles at age 89.

The title of his last of several dozen books, Still Surprised: A Memoir of a Life in Leadership, is especially appropriate because, until recently, he was active and enthusiastic about the new adventures that awaited him. He was still able to be surprised because he embraced the perspective of Tennyson’s Ulysses:

“Tho’ much is taken, much abides; and tho’
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.”

I have read and reviewed all of his books and feel privileged that, over the years, we became close personal friends. I agree with Bill George: “I look at Peter Drucker as the father of management and Warren Bennis as the father of leadership.” Apparently Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, Ford, and Reagan also agreed. As did hundreds of CEOs, they sought his counsel and cherished his friendship, as have countless others.

To learn more about Warren and his work, please click here.

To read my interview of him, please click here.