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The talent for making good use of professional advisors ranks as one of the most necessary skills for an executive. Certain types of client attitude and behavior lead to success while other behaviors lead to failure. Twenty-five rules for the successful use of professional consultants and advisors examine the problems of hiring and fees, and the common grievances of consultants and clients. Advisors and clients both commit a set of "seven deadly sins" which need to be eliminated as soon as they occur.

Successful meetings begin by identifying their objectives as information-digestive, constructive-originative, or legislative. A chairperson should draw up agenda items in advance. The purpose and definition of the items should be clear, and placed in order of urgency or in suitable association with other items. The greatest single barrier to successful meetings is the chairperson's self-indulgence. A chairperson is most effective when committed only to the goals of the group, and acting as a servant rather than master of the group. The best meetings are those that have two leaders, one a social leader, the other a project or task leader.