Gary Hamel and Harnessing Everyday Genius

We are big fans of Gary Hamel.  He spoke at a WPO Annual Conference in Chicago back in 2006.  What an event, filled with extraordinary insights, energy and over-the-top learning.

And now Gary is still at it with his high level intellect.  He, along with Michele Zanini, talk about Harnessing Everyday Genius for Harvard Business Review..

The crux of the article:

This workplace alchemy—turning dead-end jobs into get-ahead jobs—doesn’t require new legislation or billions of dollars in public spending. It just takes commitment to building organizations that kindle the spark of everyday genius in each human being.

Read it all, here.

Article of Interest: What Matters to Organizations Now

Our friend and colleague, Gary Hamel, has a new book out: What Matters Now (pictured). It is a series of interconnected essays that focus on five key themes beginning with values, which have nearly wilted away in the business world.

He worries that unless there is a moral renaissance, recent lapses will lead to an increased regulatory burden.

Read the entire article to find out what else is on Gary Hamel's great mind.

Hint: Check out this insight of his:

“Unlike Apple, most companies are long on accountants and short on artists. They are run by executives who know everything about cost and next to nothing about value,” he warns.

Article of Interest: How to Breed a Management Rebel

Good stuff from our friend and colleague Gary Hamel (pictured). 

Inventing Management 2.0

In it, he talks about busting bureaucratic practices and discovering new ways of motivating, organizing, compensating and goal setting.  For example, does this sound anything close to how you currently run your business?

... the management model found in your organization most likely over-weights the views of senior executives, undervalues unconventional thinking, discourages full transparency, deters initiative, frustrates experimentation and encourages an entirely unwarranted reverence for precedence. In so doing, Management 1.0 squanders the leadership talents of just about everyone apart from the CEO.

Find out how you might become a management (Presidential) rebel here.  Go ahead:  shake it up! 

Note:  Gary Hamel was the keynote speaker for our WPO Conference 2006 in Chicago.

Posted by:  Women Presidents' Organization Chicago

Book of Interest: The Future of Management

In "The Future of Management," a book due to be published this autumn by Gary Hamel, our keynote speaker at our WPO Chicago 2006 Conference, he argues that Google's innovations go beyond the fine points of search-engine algorithms -- extending into big, enduring aspects of general management. He believes that Google is committed to building a company that can evolve as fast as the Web.

What do you think?

In the meantime, check out a couple of highlights from the book description on Amazon:

Hamel explains how to turn your company into a serial management innovator, revealing:

• The make-or-break challenges that will determine competitive success in an age of relentless, head-snapping change.
• The toxic effects of traditional management beliefs.
• The unconventional management practices generating breakthrough results in “modern management pioneers.”
• The radical principles that will need to become part of every company’s “management DNA.”
• The steps your company can take now to build your “management advantage.”

Looks like we have to wait until September 10 to find out what else Gary has to say on the hot topic of serial management innovator.

And just in ... (8/24/07) ... a hat tip to Danielle Scott (see her comment below), Associate Editor, Graziadio Business Report, Graziadio School of Business and Management for letting us know that leadership guru Bob Fulmer posted a review of the Future of Management in the Graziadio Business Report's fall issue. You can find it here.

Sound Advice: Is Innovation Everything?

In case you missed it, Harvard Business Review announced the 2006 McKinsey Award winners and our keynote speaker at last year's WPO conference in Chicago -- Gary Hamel -- is a winner! Read more here and then visit John Hagel's blog for a commentary on Gary's contribution.

Gary's article in HBR, "The Why, What, and How of Management Innovation," is a available for purchase online.