Gary Hamel is an academic and author who was ranked as the world's most influential business thinker by the Wall Street Journal. Hamel believes that the way we manage today was developed for a bygone era and that to be successful we need to adopt a new approach.
I am reading his book "What Matters Now - How to win in a world of relentless change and ferocious competition, and unstoppable innovation."
In the first chapter of the book I came across something that I just had to share with you!
He talks about values for today and understanding what is important and how in today's business world much of it seems to have been lost to behaviour generated by self-interest (Read Enron, Bankers and GFC etc)
What I want to share is the parting advice he gave to his MBA students when he taught at the London Business School. This is a great analogy to make us challenge how we think and behave in relation to what is important to us and the values we hold.
From Gary Hamel
" When you take your first post MBA job assume the following things are true:
First, your widowed mother has invested her life's savings in your company. She's the only shareholder and that investment is her only asset. Obviously you will do everything you can to make sure she has a secure and happy retirement. That's why the idea of sacrificing the long-term for a quick payout will never occur to you.
Second, your boss is an older sibling. You'll always be respectful, but you won't hesitate to offer frank advice when you think it is warranted - an you'll never suck up.
Third, your employees are your childhood chums. You'll always give them the benefit of the doubt and will do whatever you can to smooth their path. When needed, though, you'll remind them that friendship is a reciprocal responsibility. You'll never treat them as human "resources."
Fourth, your children are the company's primary customers. You want to please and delight them. That means you'll go to the mat with anyone who suggests you should deceive or take advantage of them. You'll never exploit a customer.
Fifth, you're independently wealthy. You work because you want to, not because you have to - so you will never sacrifice your integrity for a promotion or glowing performance review. You'll quit before you compromise.
These assumptions if, acted upon, will help nourish the seeds of stewardship in your business and life and, by example, in the lives of others."
See Gary Hamel in action at a TED talk on the Future of Management
