Comments

Hello,
Just a few words to tell you you've done it! To be honest I did not change essencially, but you remind me I am here to manage talents and not miseries.
On the other hand thanks for sharing your common sense and knowledge.

Posted by Jorge Beschinsky at March 21, 2006 11:02 AM

Cool slideshow!

Posted by Sean at March 22, 2006 9:18 AM

Tangential: I am just ECSTATIC that Tom is coming to my country Pakistan. I have applied a few of his theories esp about organization design and lean management to my work... and I have begun to value myself as a female leader. Begun to value my female-ness in the world of business I'd say. Great results!

Incidentally, it's my business school and my ex-employer (Jang) that are arranging the talk. Tom: the big shots there would need a bit of your advice. And do pls. reach out beyond the photo-op kind of people who will surround you. In this country, it is the YOUTH who are making things change. I wish you'd bring that up. And OH YES, these organizations can use a bit of women in the middle and higher management positions. It's hoped that your point can be driven home. May be you can just ask them how many women are in real influential positions?

This is a country that needs you, Tom.

From the people of Pakistan: Khush Amdeed! Welcome, Tom!

Posted by Ramla A. at March 22, 2006 4:07 PM

Did I say "a bit of women?" I meant, they at least be kind enough to consider increasing the ratio of women in higher mgmt from almost nil to a bit more - say 50% :).

Posted by Ramla A. at March 22, 2006 4:20 PM

Sexist tho Ramla to be "kind enough" to place women in positions - they must earn it.

Posted by Sean at March 23, 2006 9:34 AM

I agree in principle, Sean. There is no auto-privilege for women. However, this is a different nook of the world, and we have certain issues including conditions in which women (and even men!) find it hard to work. Besides, the usual perceptions like "she can't do it" exist. Since we are on the earlier parts of the lifecycle of this issue, and because Pakistan's culture is and will remain different, we might not be on the same page about women in the corporate world. However, I hope that we agree in principle about the ultimate objective.

And another thing: What I do like, as I gather, about Tom's approach is that he understands that women are women. In the not-so-olden days, a woman had to act like a man to progress in the corporate world - among other "worlds." The corporate archetype is a masculine being. Too masculine for many real males too, I'd say. It's unreal. Our friend Trevor Gray in fact proposed a ChangeThis manifesto on simplifying busines language - which is a part of this machismo deal. From language to dress to work hours to norms of networking, women are different. And as Tom puts it, better in many ways in this network and choas-friendly world.

It'd be interesting to have Tom interact with our corporate world and educate us like he educates communities around the world.

Regards.

Posted by Ramla A. at March 23, 2006 10:50 AM