1. Skills are easy to teach, to encapsulate and sometimes to measure. Mind-sets are vague and idiosyncratic.

2. Skills are more concrete than mind-sets. That makes training and development programs easier to sell.

3. Skills can be learned quickly (at least in theory). In a few hours, anyone can be taught a conceptual model and a few simple techniques for any skill. Changing minds takes time and patience.

So, what's an earnest leader interested in developing the managerial potential in his organization to do?

Chances are that no one product on the market will meet all of your needs. You'll have to construct your own development program using a combination of best-of-breed commercial products and custom-developed experiences.