While we are on the subject of business and management, I would like to share part of an article written by the late Sumantra Ghoshal (1958-2004), Professor of Strategic and International Mgmt. at London Business School. He was one of very few profs that had me really looking forward to his lectures which were very inspiring. Born in Calcutta, he graduated from Delhi University with Physics major. He took a job at Indian Oil Corporation before moving to the US on a Fulbright Fellowship in 1981. There, he managed to produce two PhD dissertations simultaneously, first at MIT's Sloan School of Management, then at Harvard Business School and earned two doctorates. He was described by The Economist 'Euroguru'. Here are some of his ideas from his lifelong research.
He wrote about the first and foremost task of a leader is to engage his willpower, and then to unleash the power of that will in others. Leadership that focuses on motivating managers is often superficial and even counterproductive. The same leadership practices that lead to high motivation often destroy the willpower of middle managers. He suggested that to engage one's willpower behind particular projects or goals, leaders need to create a desire for action without encouraging superficial acquiescence. They need to make commitment more difficult and build in barriers rather trying to get quick buy-ins. They need to make their people consider conflicts, doubts, anxieties and emotional ambivalence.
He went on to suggest that there are three forms of support that are needed for managers. First, they need supervisory support, which is the source of inspiration, intellectual stimulation, backing and encouragement. Second, they need personal relationships that provide both the professional and emotional. Thirdly, there needs to be a supportive culture. Ultimately, it is the culture that stimulates and sustains a manager's courage to exercise choice and ability to enjoy freedom.
Here is the best part. He believed that ultimately, what distinguishes human beings from almost all other species are two things "imagination and willpower”. Corporate leaders have many resources at their disposal - capital, technology, people etc. - but none as valuable as their ability to use their own imagination and will, and enable others to do the same. This is the task of the purposeful leader.
I have worked with hundreds of senior executives in my mgmt consultant career and if I look around the business leaders today, I don't know how many of them have the ability to use the power of “imagination and will” that can create and sustain great organizations.
Get a copy of his last book A Bias For Action and it may change your perspectives.