In a breakthrough Organization Man for the twenty-first century, bestselling author Art Kleiner reveals that every organization is driven by a desire to satisfy a Core Group of influential individuals and explains why understanding this groups expectations is the key to success.When corporate leaders announce, with seeming sincerity, We make our decisions on behalf of our shareholders, their words are taken at face value. But as recent news stories prove, this imperative is routinely violated. In Who Really Matters, Art Kleiner argues that the dissonance between a declared mission and actual operation can be seen at organizations large and small. All organizations have one motive in common. Every decisionwhich projects to back, who to promote, or how to spend moneyis affected by the perceived wants and needs of a core group of people who really matter. The composition of the group can differ from organization to organization. Often, the most senior people in the hierarchy are membersbut not always. Sometimes, the people who matter can extend far down the corporate ladder, or even reach outside the company to include key customers, labor union leaders, and stockholders. Kleiner gives readers clues about how to identify a core groups real mission by observing its day-to-day actions, listening to the fundamental message it sends employees, examining its management of new members; understanding the ideas that shape its policies about management, money, and the way the world works; and avoiding the taboos governing the way it operates.Whether youre a member of the Core Groupor want to bethis deft, engaging blend of argument and observation, anecdotes and advice, is the one guide youll need to achieve your career goals and aspirations by navigating the hidden pathways in any organization, large or small.