That's the title of a recent article in The Economist, which refers to Stephen Covey, Jim Collins, Tom Peters and other management guru's rules as "nothing more than wet fingers in the wind." In addition to the author's disparaging discourse, get a load of the reader comments which are ripe with priceless remarks like the following:
"Thanks to the latest fashions of the Emperor’s new clothes that these experts proudly wear, there is no need for them to moisten their finger to know which way the wind is blowing."
"I'm thinking of titling my new management tome: 'How I Learned My Five Most Effective Management Habits in Kindergarten, While Winning Friends and Influencing People by Using a Twelve Step Program, and All Inspired by Sun Tzu and Genghis Khan.' Or something like that."
I've even noticed combative comments on guru blogs of late, which express similar sentiments. What's going on? Why the pushback?
Here's what's going on: People are hurting and they need real help. Business leaders are frustrated and confused, bankruptcies continue to rise, high unemployment is threatening people's health and livelihoods as well as the economic recovery, you name it.
Hearing someone advise you to "Be curious. Be nice. Stick to your knitting. Wander around. Be proactive. Etc.," while the ship rocks violently from side to side taking on even more water is wearing a little thin on people's frazzled nerves. Especially the folks who are busting their asses to keep everything afloat, and those who have invested a lot of financial and reputation capital to receive said "advice."
I certainly empathize, but c'mon? Let's get real. Let's get our expectations clear and end the ridiculous sniping once and for all. Let's call the management guru as motivational speaker what he or she truly is: a business entertainer. That's it. Thinking they can help you succeed in today's complex marketplace is like imagining that Howard Cosell could help you win a championship boxing match.
Tom Peters makes it pretty clear (at least to me) in this BVO video interview when he remarks (around 03:20):
"If I go my entire life without a framework, I'll be thrilled."
I appreciate Tom's honesty. You should too. He's not interested in helping to solve industry problems, like a W. Edwards Deming certainly was (and did). He's interested in writing and talking about cool and interesting stuff that he reads about or experiences. If that turns you on, go for it. Otherwise, go find something that does turn you on.
Posted October 29, 2009
Email this post
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d8341c684b53ef0120a633e3fb970b
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference The three habits of highly irritating management gurus:
The comments to this entry are closed.
(Rest assured, we will never provide your email address to anyone. Period.)
RSS feed
Tom on Twitter
@tomasacker
Tom is timely, thought provoking and all about the new brand vision packaged as a Seinfeld stand up. I went to school on his ideas.
Jeff Taylor, Founder, Monster.com and CEO, Eons.
When Tom Asacker writes, I read. Opportunity Screams is the right message for the right time.
Tom Peters
Tom: it strikes a nerve, doesn't it?
A recent favorite of mine went something like, "it doesn't matter what your title in your company, stand up for your beliefs even if senior management doesn't agree." Just remember who to give your plants to when they escort you from your office.
I'm more skeptical than the average guy when it comes to gurus who have never managed a P&L, never acutally fired (or been fired by) someone, or dealt first-hand with board room politics. It's always heartening to talk to a "thought leader" who has actually "done stuff" before.
Thanks -
Posted by: Stephen Denny | October 29, 2009 at 06:52 PM
Thanks for the post, Tom.
This sure gives entrepreneurs and business enthusiasts something to think about.
I also appreciated Stephen additional inputs.
Posted by: Strategic Growth Advisors | October 29, 2009 at 11:07 PM
Thanks Stephen. It does strike a nerve; one that's quite sensitive right now.
Posted by: Tom Asacker | October 30, 2009 at 07:53 AM
Lovely irony emerging lately as it becomes fashionable for "gurus" to show disdain for guru speak/abstractions/aphorisms and announce that it's time to get practical.
Posted by: simon billing | October 30, 2009 at 09:36 AM
This is very thoughtful. "If it hurts when you do that, stop doing that" is always good advice.
That said, I have to admit to guru bashing and, frankly, guru envy. I think it's partly that a lot of gurus have been a little too glib about evaporating professions and job losses. The whole "free" thing hit a nerve for many of us. It reminded me of the Elvis Costello line, "Was it a millionaire who sang, 'Imagine no possessions?'"
Posted by: Kevin Fenton | October 30, 2009 at 10:47 AM
Thanks for stopping by Simon (you grumpy old ad guy). :)
Perhaps you should read my work. You may be happily surprised at the lack of guru speak/abstractions/aphorisms.
Posted by: Tom Asacker | October 30, 2009 at 01:21 PM
Very interesting. I know someone who has equal disdain for the guru's / consultants and who's favourite quote is:
"The consultants were in the other day, they asked to see my watch...then they told me what time it was."
Agree with you though, nothing's changed, we all know what they do. Those of us who like it and could apply it to practical everday initiatives will continue to appreciate it, those that don't won't.
Posted by: Andy Wright | November 05, 2009 at 05:57 PM