Introduction:
No other business leader and writer has influenced me more in my career than the great Mr. Robert Townsend. I hold him in the highest esteem for his forthright leadership. Thank you very much Sir. Very few managers have the integrity and honesty advocated by him. The only other literature that has influenced my thinking more, are all religious. He first wrote 'Up the organization' in 1970 and later the revised version 'Further Up the Organization' in 1984. One of the best books on Leadership is 'Reinventing Leadership' he wrote jointly with Dr. Warren Bennis. Mr. Robert Townsend was a practicing manager with tons of wisdom.
Mr. Robert Townsend:
Mr. Robert Townsend was born in 1920 at Washington, D.C. We have not been able to acquire more details on his educational attainments and early life. Mr. Townsend used his early experiences as a banker at American Express Co (1948–62) to redirect Avis Rent-a-Car. Under his direction as president and chairman, the firm became a credible force in the industry, fueled by the “We Try Harder” advertising campaign (1962–65). After leaving Avis, he became senior partner of Congressional Monitor (1969). He later became a management writer. One of the best ways of evaluating and judging people, if you can't meet them, is by studying their writings. I have tried my best to study his leadership pattern based on his writings in the absence of any specific information. Obviously, cinematic and showbiz personalities are more popular with the masses than such people. I will now try to summarize his views on various aspects of leadership and management.
He advocated acquiring blue collar experience for fresh MBAs. I would consider this as a Gospel Truth. The modern practice of asking students to acquire field experience prior to joining MBA program is not correct, in my opinion. Finish your studies and start acquiring field experience by starting at the bottom. The chain of learning in the class rooms should not be broken. Once you start working, it is extremely difficult to get back into class rooms. Qualification and Education and Experience are all totally different. Being qualified does not make one educated or learned or experienced. We have a quite a number of highly qualified fools and idiots at the workplace. Some of them even hold PhDs. At the same time, we also have a lot of less qualified but wise and intelligent people. Qualifications are important at the entry level. Thereafter it is one's attitude that decides one's career. He has repeatedly stressed the importance of integrity, honesty, ethics and fair play. For that, one need not know beyond what is stated in the scriptures. The Ten Commandments will do. You don't need extensive policy manuals. What you need is procedures for clarity of purpose.
Leadership is not Dictatorship. A good leader encourages dissension and healthy opposition. It is always better to prefer a strong enemy to a weak friend or ally. Strong enemy will keep you alert, whereas a weak friend and ally will make you complacent. Some of his wisdom are given below.
He has reiterated what the great Greek Philosopher Aristotle had said long time ago that, Excellence is a Habit and not a Virtue.
Goals and Objectives are important for both the individuals and the organization.
Human beings are a resource and not pieces on a chess board to be moved or sacrificed or checkmated.
The manager or the leader must accept and take responsibility for both the team's success and/or failure.
True leadership is for the benefit of everyone. It is not for personal aggrandizement.
If the TMT is not clear on the policies, strategies and objectives, one cannot expect the organizations to survive, grow and prosper.
During his times, he questioned the salary of 1 million dollars paid to the CEOs. He asked whether they are worth it ? I do not know his reaction to the hundreds of millions of dollars being paid as salaries and perks today.
His views on 'Accountants' whom he called as 'bean counters' is well known. Though it is not fair to classify or stereotype any profession, experience shows it is fairly true.
© Copyright, Nov-23-07 . Without prejudice. All rights reserved
Late Mr Robert Townsend Profile of a great leader - To learn more about this author, visit Madhavan T Gopalachary's Website.
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Madhavan T Gopalachary
(Visit Madhavan's Website)
Madhavan Gopalachary, nick name "madgopes"
(g pronounced as in go) given by IIT
classmates, is a Mechanical Engineer and
an alumnus of Indian Institute of
Technology, Madras having passed out
specializing in IC Engines &
Thermodynamics.
He has nearly 35 years of experience in
the Corporate World. He started off as a
trainee and handled sales, marketing,
manufacturing, product management, profit
center management, strategic planning and
corporate development including R & D in
various organizations and at various
levels before becoming a CEO. His last two
professional assignments were at CEO level
before embarking to start management
consultancy business on January 01, 1998.
He has worked for British, Swedish MNCs as
well as very large Indian business houses.
He has spent a large portion of his time
from June 1998 till date in East African
Countries practicing as an independent
Management Consultant.
More details can be obtained at the
following web sites:
mmg.name
/mtg.html;
mmgconsu
lting.biz/
Madhavan's articles can be accessed at www.madgopes.com
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