Yes, we perversely perpetuate this problem through our own actions, I agree! And a manager’s announcement that “our people are our most important asset” is as sure a sign of danger as is to be found.

I’m interested in your concerns about Peter Drucker’s influence. I hope very much to hear more on that from you.

Thanks so much, as always, for your visit and your insights!

Unfortunately, most bosses treat their employees with disdain and disrespect by using the traditional top-down command and control approach to managing them. This approach demotivates employees and destroys their natural creativity and innovation.

Most of these managers claim that people are their most important asset, but they fail to notice that their own leadership leads employees to be poor performers. If only they would take the time to carefully listen to their people they might learn how really good and caring people are.

Very sad that we can’t seem to learn or listen our way out of this problem. Drucker wrote over 20 books on management, but was more a creator of the problem rather than a solution to it.

Best regards, Ben
Author “Leading People to be Highly Motivated and Committed”

I agree completely. Some people learn this lesson after a few encounters early in life with such promises, and move on to become quite good managers. Others surf the fads for a while longer. But the more time spent doing this the less left available for engaging in – and learning from – the sustained effort you describe.

Thanks for your visit, your kind comments, and your always trenchant observations!

Part of the problem is that humans often want magic incantations instead of guidelines that require consciousness and work to implement. They want change that happens in an instant instead of change that takes work and time.