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Category Archives: Management Development

The indicator

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Among the many great hopes pinned on the MBA is that attainment of it suggests meaningful things about one’s knowledge, ability, and character. That is not an overstatement of the regard in which it is held. While it’s fair enough to assume that someone who has completed such a program can be expected to know what was taught in it, his or her ability to apply that knowledge cannot be assumed with equal confidence . . .

Also filed in Human Resources, Military Managers, Training and Education | | Comments (5)

The bona fide

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Yesterday’s discussion of the almost mystical faith that has developed in the efficacy of the MBA generated some interesting points among the comments. One of them appears to revolve around the value of the degree as a predictor of performance by hiring or promoting firms. The other, interestingly, looks at the question from the other direction, asking what sort of manager - MBA or otherwise - people prefer to work for. We will take a look at these issues over the next few days. To begin with . . .

Also filed in Human Resources, Training and Education | | Comments (7)

The amulet

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Insular thinking is a real danger in all walks of life, and certainly in business. Unfortunately, it is also all-too common. Last year, for example, we noted here an item about some senior managers who had been sent, as part of their annual training, on organized outings with volunteer groups. Some were positively thunderstruck at the teamwork skills they developed while self-organizing the unloading of roofing tiles from a pickup truck. Another praised the experience as an opportunity for senior management to “organize something and work with people.” I wonder what the managers of the volunteer organizations learned in turn from these awe-struck visitors. . .

Also filed in Military Managers, Peter Drucker, Training and Education | | Comments (12)

The court jester

Thursday, March 20, 2008

As we’ve seen, the the progressive movement is inextricably rooted in obsolete, essentially feudal, tradition and exclusive elitism. The irony is that this places it in irreconcilable conflict with the glorious millennium toward which it presumes to be the pathfinder. The reason is that the core feature of contemporary and future life and work, is the increasingly widespread location and seeking of everything from insight to sovereignty in everyone, rather than in a narrowly prescribed ruling or leading class. But they aren’t going down without a fight. . .

Also filed in Culture, Management | | Comments (0)

Book Review: The Definitive Drucker

Friday, March 14, 2008

The late Peter Drucker will likely be remembered as the most influential management thinker of the last 100 years - perhaps of all time. He was at once profound and prolific, writing widely on management and other topics. Certainly much has been written about him, as well. But the author of this book, Elizabeth Haas Edersheim, wrote it at the specific request of Drucker, and with the help of his close collaboration over the last sixteen months of his life. . .

Also filed in Book Reviews, Management Skills, Management Trends, Peter Drucker | | Comments (0)