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Category Archives: Culture

The real vanguard

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

While there remains considerable resistance in certain quarters to the idea, the real advances enjoyed in the world since the advent of the industrial age have come from commerce, from business people who respond to market signals, which ultimately are sent by consumers. That is, progress has be driven from the bottom up, not from the top down. . .

Also filed in Capitalism, Management, Organizational Leadership | | Comments (0)

A bridge too low

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

The “it can’t happen here” syndrome is persistent, and consistently defies experience. Why is that? I recently read about a bridge in a developing economy that had been built too low for traffic to pass under it. The solution? . . .

Also filed in Ethics, Management, Organizational Leadership | | Comments (6)

Shooting stars

Thursday, May 8, 2008

One of the most peculiarly persistent problems in management at all levels is the reluctance of managers to develop their juniors, out of a fear that they may outshine and, ultimately, outpace their seniors. It seems to me that there are three problems with this. . .

Also filed in Management Development | | Comments (3)

Good intentions

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

One of the great dilemmas of the modern world of work - one that, one way or another, is reflected in much of the thinking and writing about management today - is found in the conflict between personal morals and business ethics. . .

Also filed in Ethics, Management | | Comments (3)

Magical thinking

Friday, May 2, 2008

I was speaking with an American CEO of a major enterprise in a Middle Eastern country. This outfit had employees from a range of cultures and countries that literally spanned the globe, and of educational and socio-economic backgrounds that covered all the ground. I asked him how he dealt with so diverse a group - how did he arrange organizational policy regarding, say, ethics, in a way that satisfied company requirements and incorporated diverse habits and beliefs?

Also filed in CEOs, Communication, Management | | Comments (0)