dispatches from the new world of work

PNC Financial Services Group

On this day of global market madness, I'm in Pittsburgh talking to leaders at PNC Financial Services Group. At first blush, "Ouch" would seem to be the order of the day. But hold on. First, through good sense or good luck or both, PNC's subprime exposure is minimal. Moreover, the company has a bushel of awards that distinguish them as far different from banking's mindless conglomerators. PNC is a 2007 "BusinessWeek 50" top performing company, on Fortune's "Most Admired" list, on numerous other lists such as "Best Companies for Working Mothers," "Top 10 Companies for African-Americans," "Top 50 Employers for Women," "CIO 100 for Technology Excellence," etc. So, why do they need me? Beats me, but I'll do my best to roil the waters here and there.

[Slides are here.—CM]

Tom Peters posted this on 01/22/08.

Comments

It may not be that they need you, but they want to leverage your knowledge to become better. A company can always grow and harvest new ideas and you are an agent of change.

Posted by Dan Schawbel at January 23, 2008 12:11 AM

Slide 38 struck me so profoundly:

Cause (worthy of commitment)

Space (room for/encouragement for initiatives- adventures

Decency (respect, grace, integrity, humane)

Service (worthy of our clients' & extended family's continuing custom)

Excellence (period)

This slide seems to be the basis of who we are and how we do what we do as change agents. Immediately, I recalled the words of Luke reflecting on Jesus' "professional" and personal mission.

Consider Luke 22:27: "...a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. Jesus said to them, 'The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the least, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.'"

Regardless of religious persuasion or the lack thereof, the message here is universal and seems apropos to who we are and how we perform as change agents. As one who is considered by many as the ultimate agent of change, Jesus embodies cause, space, decency, service and excellence, the being brand.

Posted by Judith Ellis at January 23, 2008 11:50 AM

Why do they want you? - Maybe that explains why they keep on winning awards Tom. They obviously still see the need to improve. My late beloved Dad always told me the time we are most vulnerable is when things are going well.

Posted by Trevor Gay at January 24, 2008 5:19 PM