The new Leader to Leader magazine has an interesting summary of Peter Georgescu's new book The source of success: Five enduring principles at the heart of real leadership. Mr. Georgescu is chairman emeritus of the advertising agency, Young & Rubicam, and proposes that the standard paradigms of leadership espoused in many best sellers are becoming increasingly irrelvant. Why - because the global economy (and particularly that of the U.S.A.) is moving from one dominated by excess demand to one of excess supply. The consumer demand of the 1950s through the early 1990s fueled increasing demand that seemed unsatiable. However, in the late 1980s, price became the focus of many businesses. Georgescu now proposes that demand and price cannot be the continuing focus as products look more and more the same - commoditized. Products that consumers will buy will be unique, different, and tailored to individual interests. This movement will require different leadership and organization strategies.
The leadership Georgescu predicts will be one based on five principles. The first principle is creativity. In his words, "creative capacity and brand value are an organization's most important asset" and to maintain the creativity that establishes value, employees have to be freed to make their best contributions. The second principle is enlightened leadership, the kind that causes employees to say, "there's nowhere else I would ever want to work." When employees say this, customers will begin to say, "there's no one else I'd rather buy from." The third principle is achieving competency and excellence in execution. In such an environment, every employee relationship with a customer is an opportunity for marketing, assuring the consumer that there is full confidence and excellence in the product. The fourth principle is alignment among management, employees, financial analysts and consumers that assures that the product in question is superior in fact and perception. The final and fifth principle is that values count. Basic human values will dominate the relationships among organizations and consumers and these include honesty, integrity, and respect for yourself and others. With these core values and accountability to actualize them, there will be trust. Without them, trustful relationships cannot be established.
While this summary may appear only to be relevant to for-profit companies, my own head quickly bridged to the relationship between education and students, families, and employer consumers. Further, I began to wonder about the role of values-based leadership learning, especially leadership that fosters creativity, enlightened leadership that supports it, commitment to excellence, alignment from creation to delivery of the product, and a commitment to shared human values. Are we on the verge of the end of the world as we knew it and is there actually a better world ahead?
Monday, January 30, 2006
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Language
I had a wonderful experience in Oxford's Starbucks this morning. I was standing waiting to be served behind a father and his son (probably 3-4 years old). The father was speaking German to the son but, when the barrister talked to him, he spoke in typical English. I assumed that the father was teaching his son to be bi-lingual and I asked as we were walking out. The father replied proudly that his father was German and that he wanted his son to be able to converse easily in multiple languages.
I had a couple of reactions. First, it felt so good to hear another language this morning. I got so used to hearing multiple languages all the time in Europe that living in a country with only one dominant language is now a bit stale. Second, (and I commented on this to the father) it is so important for any of us who have or can acquire multiple languages to do so. It's part of our world and something that will be the mark of a global citizen in the future. It's very easy as an English-speaker to let others accommodate me rather than my working to acquire another language.
I had a couple of reactions. First, it felt so good to hear another language this morning. I got so used to hearing multiple languages all the time in Europe that living in a country with only one dominant language is now a bit stale. Second, (and I commented on this to the father) it is so important for any of us who have or can acquire multiple languages to do so. It's part of our world and something that will be the mark of a global citizen in the future. It's very easy as an English-speaker to let others accommodate me rather than my working to acquire another language.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Some final pictures of Europe
I took over 1,000 pictures during the two months I was in Europe. I have two picture albums I've organized and labeled to remind me of my experiences. I'll share a few of my favorites from Diane, Darbi, and my last days of travel before we returned to the U.S.A. How these particular images remind me of important new learning is noted for each.
The first picture is of the front of the Salzburg, Austria, building that was the birthplace of Mozart. Interestingly enough, this year marks Mozart's 250th birthday. Wolfgang was the son of Leopold who realized when Wolfgang was only 6 years old that he was a musical genius. This spurred concert tours that took Wolfgang and his sister throughout Europe in a day and age when travel was not easy. Imagine a 6 year old traveling to the palaces and concert halls of Europe to perform for royalty and others. He composed his first opera at age 12 and went on to be one of the most productive composers of all time, even though he died at the age of 35. The thing that was amazing about going to Mozart's birthplace was that there was a map at the end of the historical exhibit indicating where Mozart traveled during his concert tours. To my great surprise, over the two months I was in Europe, I traveled almost all the paths Mozart traveled with the exception of Naples, Italy, and London. It gave me great satisfaction to know that I had been to most of these great European cities that welcomed Mozart.
The Salzburg, Austria, Fortress rises above the landscape on a high hill in the middle of an incredible range of mountains surrounding the city. This Fortress was never taken by hostile forces during all the European battles for land and domination until the Fortress opened its doors willingly to Napolean. I don't know the reason for not fighting Napolean unless it was an inevitable belief that Austria would lose. The Fortress is a landmark but it also represents a period of European history when all possessions had to be protected from invading forces of nobility or dictators. The EU has now bonded together to assure that these hostilities will never again plague Europe.
Salzburg is filled with churches, most of which were designed and decorated in high Baroque style. St. Peters' church is one of the most beautiful. This picture was taken early in the morning before many people had begun their tourism treks. It was wonderful to see it with all the Christmas lights and candles. The opulence of the place was overwhelming, as many churches/cathedrals throughout Europe are.
Munich, Germany, was our last stop on our way back to Frankfurt and home. Munich was a wonderful surprise. It was snowing but people were everywhere - shopping, ice skating, and enjoying the last days of the Christmas Market. Munich will be one of the cities to which I will return to learn more. It was the home of much of the Bavarian royal family and the Residenz is proof of it. The sculpture hall that is pictured first served in the early days of the Residenz as an entry hall, lined with the sculptures that had been collected by the royal family. Later, the sculpture hall was used for banquets and other events as other areas of the Residenz became more opulent.
The newer part of the Residenz became even more ornate, as is evidenced by this picture of the private areas of the palace where only special guests of the royal family were entertained. Overall, the Residenz is overwhelming in size - not quite as large as the Louvre (Paris) or the Hoffburg Palace (Vienna) but nevertheless an incredible statement of wealth and privilege. Most of the Residenz was actually rebuilt after having been destroyed at the end of WWII. Many public buildings in Germany were destroyed when allied forces invaded in the later part of the war. This was partially a necessary military step to dismantle the Nazi war machine but it also symbolized the destruction of German culture which had been such a source of pride among its people for so many years.
You've probably seen and read enough about my European travels so this will be the last of the entries about this. If you want to see more, ask to see my picture album. The European discovery has transformed my thinking about the U.S.A. and about our role in the global community. Europeans are critical advocates and partners in advancing democracy worldwide and it is important that, as citizens, we do all we can to listen to them and to invite them into partnership in making our world a better place. It will happen however slowly or quickly we can bring it about.
The first picture is of the front of the Salzburg, Austria, building that was the birthplace of Mozart. Interestingly enough, this year marks Mozart's 250th birthday. Wolfgang was the son of Leopold who realized when Wolfgang was only 6 years old that he was a musical genius. This spurred concert tours that took Wolfgang and his sister throughout Europe in a day and age when travel was not easy. Imagine a 6 year old traveling to the palaces and concert halls of Europe to perform for royalty and others. He composed his first opera at age 12 and went on to be one of the most productive composers of all time, even though he died at the age of 35. The thing that was amazing about going to Mozart's birthplace was that there was a map at the end of the historical exhibit indicating where Mozart traveled during his concert tours. To my great surprise, over the two months I was in Europe, I traveled almost all the paths Mozart traveled with the exception of Naples, Italy, and London. It gave me great satisfaction to know that I had been to most of these great European cities that welcomed Mozart.
The Salzburg, Austria, Fortress rises above the landscape on a high hill in the middle of an incredible range of mountains surrounding the city. This Fortress was never taken by hostile forces during all the European battles for land and domination until the Fortress opened its doors willingly to Napolean. I don't know the reason for not fighting Napolean unless it was an inevitable belief that Austria would lose. The Fortress is a landmark but it also represents a period of European history when all possessions had to be protected from invading forces of nobility or dictators. The EU has now bonded together to assure that these hostilities will never again plague Europe.
Salzburg is filled with churches, most of which were designed and decorated in high Baroque style. St. Peters' church is one of the most beautiful. This picture was taken early in the morning before many people had begun their tourism treks. It was wonderful to see it with all the Christmas lights and candles. The opulence of the place was overwhelming, as many churches/cathedrals throughout Europe are.
Munich, Germany, was our last stop on our way back to Frankfurt and home. Munich was a wonderful surprise. It was snowing but people were everywhere - shopping, ice skating, and enjoying the last days of the Christmas Market. Munich will be one of the cities to which I will return to learn more. It was the home of much of the Bavarian royal family and the Residenz is proof of it. The sculpture hall that is pictured first served in the early days of the Residenz as an entry hall, lined with the sculptures that had been collected by the royal family. Later, the sculpture hall was used for banquets and other events as other areas of the Residenz became more opulent.
The newer part of the Residenz became even more ornate, as is evidenced by this picture of the private areas of the palace where only special guests of the royal family were entertained. Overall, the Residenz is overwhelming in size - not quite as large as the Louvre (Paris) or the Hoffburg Palace (Vienna) but nevertheless an incredible statement of wealth and privilege. Most of the Residenz was actually rebuilt after having been destroyed at the end of WWII. Many public buildings in Germany were destroyed when allied forces invaded in the later part of the war. This was partially a necessary military step to dismantle the Nazi war machine but it also symbolized the destruction of German culture which had been such a source of pride among its people for so many years.
You've probably seen and read enough about my European travels so this will be the last of the entries about this. If you want to see more, ask to see my picture album. The European discovery has transformed my thinking about the U.S.A. and about our role in the global community. Europeans are critical advocates and partners in advancing democracy worldwide and it is important that, as citizens, we do all we can to listen to them and to invite them into partnership in making our world a better place. It will happen however slowly or quickly we can bring it about.
Monday, January 16, 2006
Implications of my European work, study, and travel
I will continue to reflect on what I am learning about leadership on this blog. Understanding leadership is a life-long journey for me and I know that I'll never be able to say that I fully understand it. The following points are offered in that context.
First of all, my European journey taught me that the USA is not the center of the globe. Secondly, as the USA continues to be challenged in its role in the international community, retreating into isolation and vilification of others is destructive. The third point is related to the second - securing a positive future for the USA is dependent on fostering creativity and innovation as the world shrinks and flattens.
In relation to learning, I also now realize that true global understanding results from experiencing, rather than observing or reading. I am also reassured to know that leadership is being reconceptualized in all kinds of work and communities. I am encouraged by the fact that higher education in the USA has a strategic advantage in holism and focus, if we utilize it. And on a very practical basis, it is exciting to confirm that enhancing student learning serves as a very natural intersection in the work between faculty and student affairs staff.
First of all, my European journey taught me that the USA is not the center of the globe. Secondly, as the USA continues to be challenged in its role in the international community, retreating into isolation and vilification of others is destructive. The third point is related to the second - securing a positive future for the USA is dependent on fostering creativity and innovation as the world shrinks and flattens.
In relation to learning, I also now realize that true global understanding results from experiencing, rather than observing or reading. I am also reassured to know that leadership is being reconceptualized in all kinds of work and communities. I am encouraged by the fact that higher education in the USA has a strategic advantage in holism and focus, if we utilize it. And on a very practical basis, it is exciting to confirm that enhancing student learning serves as a very natural intersection in the work between faculty and student affairs staff.
Unique attributes of "Americans"
One of the fascinating things about Europeans is that they are very aware of what's unique about "Americans." (To some degree I would include our Canadian and Mexican North American neighbors but in other ways I would not.) They recognize what is different about us and, while not necessarily wanting to emulate us, respect and even admire us for these differences. The things that they recognize as most distinct are 1) that we are much more comfortable in taking risks and 2) that we pride ourselves in and foster self-sufficiency among our people.
As I reflect on these two qualities, I realize that they are most evident among the privileged in our country - taking risks and being self-sufficient. These are great qualities, if you have the resources to protect you when you take risks and if self-sufficiency has a golden parachute. Europeans admire the fact that US businesses develop and move products into the marketplace faster than any other country in the world. Some even express envy that much of intellectual innovation originates from US citizens. This is why many intellectuals, artists, scientists and others have immigrated to the US over the decades. By contrast to raw self-sufficiency, Europeans pride themselves in establishing a base quality of life for all citizens. This isn't perfect and there is persistent uneveness in wealth in Europe, yet, at least all citizens can avail themselves of medical help when they need it. Additionally, anyone who is seeking work has public support in acquiring living needs.
One other realization that emerged for me is that the USA tends to accentuate difference rather than embrace it. Diversity was evident everywhere I went in Europe. Not until I returned to the USA did I hear about diversity, although it was much less visible. On this important day in US history, the day that commemorates the birth of Martin Luther King, it seems as if this observation may have relevance and importance.
The last observation I would offer is that US media invades every corner of Europe, regardless of language. Storefronts carry product endorsements from Hollywood celebrities. News media almost always carry speculation or information about sports and entertainment elites. Even the unique and beautiful environment of the German and Austrian Christmas Markets is affected as the only language heard in the musical lyrics of every market from Koln to Vienna is Engligh.
Observation of these unique attributes is not scientific. They are simply accumulated from conversations and observations throughout my travels. I don't completely understand their impact if, in fact, the observations are accurate. I only know that seeking to observe has caused me to see myself and "Americans" in a differently light than before.
As I reflect on these two qualities, I realize that they are most evident among the privileged in our country - taking risks and being self-sufficient. These are great qualities, if you have the resources to protect you when you take risks and if self-sufficiency has a golden parachute. Europeans admire the fact that US businesses develop and move products into the marketplace faster than any other country in the world. Some even express envy that much of intellectual innovation originates from US citizens. This is why many intellectuals, artists, scientists and others have immigrated to the US over the decades. By contrast to raw self-sufficiency, Europeans pride themselves in establishing a base quality of life for all citizens. This isn't perfect and there is persistent uneveness in wealth in Europe, yet, at least all citizens can avail themselves of medical help when they need it. Additionally, anyone who is seeking work has public support in acquiring living needs.
One other realization that emerged for me is that the USA tends to accentuate difference rather than embrace it. Diversity was evident everywhere I went in Europe. Not until I returned to the USA did I hear about diversity, although it was much less visible. On this important day in US history, the day that commemorates the birth of Martin Luther King, it seems as if this observation may have relevance and importance.
The last observation I would offer is that US media invades every corner of Europe, regardless of language. Storefronts carry product endorsements from Hollywood celebrities. News media almost always carry speculation or information about sports and entertainment elites. Even the unique and beautiful environment of the German and Austrian Christmas Markets is affected as the only language heard in the musical lyrics of every market from Koln to Vienna is Engligh.
Observation of these unique attributes is not scientific. They are simply accumulated from conversations and observations throughout my travels. I don't completely understand their impact if, in fact, the observations are accurate. I only know that seeking to observe has caused me to see myself and "Americans" in a differently light than before.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Commonalities between Europe and the USA
One of the things I pondered was what is common between Europe and the USA, particularly related to our thoughts about leadership. The commonalities (and I know that these are sweeping generalizations that surely do not apply to all) that I see us sharing are that there is both curiosity and ambivalence about leadership, that there are very good, welcoming, and courageous people everywhere, and that positive change happens when leaders act on their convictions. No where were these realizations more evident than in my travels in Germany, a country mired in questions about leadership gone wrong and right. I respect the German people's courage in recognizing how wrong and horrifying Hitler really was. Hitler was a traitor to the German people and to all of humanity. He was a traitor because he sought to advance himself, no matter the cost to others. Germany learned (and is probably learning) from this experience and my hope is that all of us might learn and become more critical observers of leadership as a result.
As my travels continued throughout Europe, I found other amazing examples of leadership in history. Of course, the Roman empire stands as one of the great historical attempts at democratizing our world. In many ways it worked (the Pantheon above) but in others it did not (the Coliseum below).
The Doges of Venice had three governing bodies and attempted to create governance that involved and served Venetians. Did they get it all right? No. But, the fact that they were trying as early as 5th century AD is very interesting.
As my travels continued throughout Europe, I found other amazing examples of leadership in history. Of course, the Roman empire stands as one of the great historical attempts at democratizing our world. In many ways it worked (the Pantheon above) but in others it did not (the Coliseum below).
The Doges of Venice had three governing bodies and attempted to create governance that involved and served Venetians. Did they get it all right? No. But, the fact that they were trying as early as 5th century AD is very interesting.
Summary and realizations from Europe
I've been working over the last couple of days to summarize the implications of my teaching, research, and learning in Europe. I developed a PowerPoint that gets to the core of what this meant to me. Since blogger doesn't accommodate PowerPoint, I'll summarize the points in a couple of successive blog entries.
The first points I realized about my experience are: that I had become very accustomed to my surroundings in the USA, that I did not deal well with separation and lack of understanding in my new environment, and that the European experience had allowed me to see a fresh perspective on many things, primarily the result of becoming more acutely aware of my experiences. In my comfort as a citizen of the USA, I had been complacent and comfortable and had no particular motivation to attempt to question my beliefs and assumptions.
The next step was beginning to examine what I perceived of Europe and the USA. In analyzing this, I realized that the globe truly is shrinking and flattening (Friedman), that the EU is a very powerful emerging force in the global community (Rifkin), that EU nations share the USA’s belief in democratic ideal, and that the EU is creating a strong European bond after many centuries of conflict. The impressions related to the USA are that the role of the USA in WWII is deeply appreciated and remembered by Europeans, that the USA engages when it is in its own self-interest, and that the USA is perceived to be inconsistent in its espoused and enacted values (i.e. separation of church & state, protecting personal freedoms).
The first points I realized about my experience are: that I had become very accustomed to my surroundings in the USA, that I did not deal well with separation and lack of understanding in my new environment, and that the European experience had allowed me to see a fresh perspective on many things, primarily the result of becoming more acutely aware of my experiences. In my comfort as a citizen of the USA, I had been complacent and comfortable and had no particular motivation to attempt to question my beliefs and assumptions.
The next step was beginning to examine what I perceived of Europe and the USA. In analyzing this, I realized that the globe truly is shrinking and flattening (Friedman), that the EU is a very powerful emerging force in the global community (Rifkin), that EU nations share the USA’s belief in democratic ideal, and that the EU is creating a strong European bond after many centuries of conflict. The impressions related to the USA are that the role of the USA in WWII is deeply appreciated and remembered by Europeans, that the USA engages when it is in its own self-interest, and that the USA is perceived to be inconsistent in its espoused and enacted values (i.e. separation of church & state, protecting personal freedoms).
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Continuing the pursuit
I'm back from the holidays in Europe and a quick trip of Scholar Leaders to Toronto. I have a lot of catching up to do as the semester begins but I'm committed to maintaining my blog over the coming months. I found the experience of the European blog so helpful as a journaling strategy that I've decided I want to give it a try on a continuing basis.
Over the next week I'll post pictures and thoughts about the trip I took with Diane (wife) and Darbi (youngest daughter) after the conclusion of my teaching in Luxembourg. We had a fast and furious 15 days and covered Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and back home. We were admittedly only hitting the high points but we had a wonderful time.
Diane and Darbi landed December 15 and we immediately jumped on a train to spend our first night in Koln, enjoying the Christmas Market that surrounded the cathedral. The picture below is taken down from one of the towers looking down on the market.
Over the next week I'll post pictures and thoughts about the trip I took with Diane (wife) and Darbi (youngest daughter) after the conclusion of my teaching in Luxembourg. We had a fast and furious 15 days and covered Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and back home. We were admittedly only hitting the high points but we had a wonderful time.
Diane and Darbi landed December 15 and we immediately jumped on a train to spend our first night in Koln, enjoying the Christmas Market that surrounded the cathedral. The picture below is taken down from one of the towers looking down on the market.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)