
And so the idea materialized of setting the entire story as a private journey among the animals at a zoo. Secretan obtained unprecedented access to the Metro Toronto Zoo, spending six months researching, interviewing zoo executives, animal experts, handlers and keepers, visiting zoos around the world and gathering rare data about species, their habits and history.
The central premise of the book is that we all achieve fulfillment and become inspiring leaders by practicing three values:
• Mastery
• Chemistry
• Delivery
A ghost tiger named Moose teaches Tamias, a chipmunk, these three values. Nemesis, a snake, thinly disguised as bureaucracy and company politics, pops up in different guises attempting to thwart the breakthrough thinking of Moose, Tamias and their zoo-pals. Through his brilliant storytelling, Secretan raises the business of leading work and life to a personal art.
The Way of the Tiger: Gentle Wisdom for Turbulent Times became a world-wide smash, and is often referred to by readers as their first encounter with Secretan’s work. First published in 1989, and since reprinted nine times and translated into many languages, this is the book that birthed the renowned idea of Values-centered Leadership®, which has since become a legendary practice within organizations worldwide.
The book, together with resources found on this website, offers a comprehensive system for raising the level of inspiration in any organization.


