A new book advocates “being carried” to the top of the corporate pile, rather than clawing your way there.

Flying in the face of old-style, brash, iron-fisted corporate leadership comes some new advice on successful management: be nicer.

The advice, in a new book entitled The 5 Patterns of Extraordinary Careers, doesn`t come from sensitive bunny-huggers, it is based on extensive research and experience by global executive search consultant Spencer Stuart. The company has more than ten years` experience and says it has conducted more than 60 percent of the searches for Fortune 1000 CEOs. So it should know a thing or two about what differentiates a good business leader from a mediocre one.