10SECRETS.(A)

The best chief executives and managers seek opposite points of view and aren't afraid to delegate, says former car executive Lee Iacocca.

The top leaders give their teams a short list of priorities and a long leash, he writes in "The Little Book of Business Wisdom: Rules of Success From More Than 50 Business Legends" (John Wiley & Sons Inc., 2001). The book features tips from a range of executives including Jack Welch and Peter Lynch and is edi

ted by Peter Krass.

Here are some of Iacocca's tips.

Never forget that the line makes the money. Avoid the political maneuvering between staff and line organizations, Iacocca says. In parceling out authority and accountability between these two groups, don't give the line short shrift.

"When the chips are down, it's the line organization that makes the money; the staff doesn't make a dime," he said.

Keep the mavericks. Chief executives should worry when they're fed a single point of view, Iacocca believes. "Without differences in viewpoint, and openness to constructive expression of these differences, a corporation can be led into a lot of bad decisions," he said.