dispatches from the new world of work

Mars, Venus, Mom-power, Men Exit Stage Left!

"Now and in the future, the teams led by the most moms win. ... The new model still demands they have leadership DNA, but it also embraces a kindler, gentler, more confident version of the old model; a big heart and a strong character are now as important as being a strong person. Leaders who only have the hard skills simply aren't suited for today's business climate. Many of these types are still running companies, but the tide is turning and their days are numbered. As everyone is well aware, company populations are going to become more rather than less diverse, companies will be dealing with more rather than fewer changes, and the pace is going to quicken even further. As a result, leaders must become much more efficient at managing chaos and much more competent at dealing with the human side. Overall, they must possess the interpersonal skills and character to adapt to both new realities." —Moe Grzelakowski, "Maternal Trends in the Business World" (Mother Leads Best: 50 Women Who Are Changing the Way Organizations Define Leadership) (Ms G held very senior leadership positions at places like Dell.)

Comments?

Tom Peters posted this on 02/01/05.

Comments

I donÂ´t want to be too technical in this, but I think some kind of technical information should be present in this debate.

Just some notes about personality and itÂ´s development.

Carl Jung discovered that men share a feminine side and women a masculine side.

Donald Winnicott discovered the special need of men and women for a facilitating environment, an environment of love and empathy.

Heinz Kohut discovered two different psychological structures: the ideals and the goals that are empathically fostered.

From all these psychologists and my personal experience, first with myself and at work with others, I get the idea that if men are more heroically shaped is because they are linked to a phase of development in their personalities that is reflected in an aggressive form.

On the other side,if women have a more empathic approach to life does not exclude them from having also their heroic side.

Carl Jung used to call psychotherapy an opus contra natura, a work against nature, why? because it tries to transform personality, that which seems to be more permanent and easy to identify in any person, their nature. Following this idea, I think any man can develop an empathic personality (a hard work, never easy) and women can develop their heroic side. Gandhi is a perfect example of a man that embraced a way of life that we could call antiheroic. If all men were aggressive and with no empathic qualities simply there could not be men psychologists or at least, not good ones.

What I think men should do is to put themselves more in touch with their souls and donÂ´t just say. Ok, IÂ´m a man I canÂ´t help being so weak, so agressive and so poorly empathic. You can know a lot of quantitative analysis and still be a complete stupid. But that is something you will not change with an MBA.

Posted by felix gerena at February 1, 2005 2:27 PM

I am sorry to all readers for having repeated the same post in this and the previous TomÂ´s psot about men and women. As they have a similar title after having posted the first I thought the post had not been processed and repeated the process again. I donÂ´t like repeating my ideas. Sorry again.

Posted by felix gerena.com at February 1, 2005 2:46 PM

Felix, only one thing matters--the thoughtfulness of the post. That's the point, eh? Repeat it a dozen times if you wish.

Posted by tom peters at February 1, 2005 3:34 PM

"The Women Thing" is one topic (probably the only one) of Tom's points in Re-Imagine that I feel is too generalized. I believe one of the things that I did while building my company was to hire based on heart over degrees and certificates. I think it came from having a dad who still works on the docks at Roadway Express and believes in good, honest, hard work. He was never given a chance at a promotion because he didn't have a college degree. Big mistake for Roadway - he's taught me most of the valuable lessons in my life.

So back to my company - I have a company made up of X-construction workers, receptionists, front desk help from Firestone, a sales rep from Office Depot, X-salon front desk manager, and many other key people that most people would pass over. Yes, I do own a software company so I also have a few developers with college degrees (including me). However, some of the most dedicated, clear minded, creative employees - came from "non-respected" or non-professional backgrounds. So it's about people and heart - not gender for me.

People live in the environment you make or allow and in my opinion this proceeds gender as a preference or focus. Environment at the workplace is a key element to success in the USA as we move forward in a global world. People enjoy being "real" - let them be the same person they are at home without the need to be fake or "corporate". Why is it that small businesses still flourish in recessions and typically help revive the economy? It's about the people! It's about your work family. I believe this is one of the big revolutions coming (I hope) as it has been one of the biggest reasons for my company's success. Say NO to politics. Say NO to gender or race. Say NO to sexual preference bias. Who cares - we're family right (this is actually the way we feel at Harms)... Say YES to open, honest communication that says "we're real". Just to show you how serious I take being "real" - my level of respect for Tom peaked at the World Business Leader's conference in Chicago when he cursed to make a point multiple times during our break-out meeting. Real people show emotion and real people (in New Jersey ;)) curse. Loved it. Loved the environment he created.

John Harms

Posted by John Harms at February 15, 2005 1:25 AM