Today’s young leaders grew up in the glow of television and computers; the leaders of their grandparents’ generation in the shadow of the Depression and World War II. In Leading for a Lifetime , Warren Bennis and Robert Thomas set to find out how era and values shape those who lead. At the heart of this model are what the authors call crucibles - utterly transforming periods of testing from which one can emerge either hopelessly broken or powerfully emboldened to learn and to lead. Whether losing an election or burying a child, learning from a mentor or mastering a martial art, crucibles force us to decide who we are and what we are capable of.