ANCIENT&
not so ancient
WISDOM
offering a weekly positive perspective
June
16, 2005
We
cannot become what we need to be by remaining
what we are."
-
Max DePree (1924 - )
Born
in Zeeland,
Michigan, USA and dropping out of college to join the Army
Medical Corps in 1943, he went to work for his father's
Michigan company, Herman Miller (named after his mother's
father) in 1947, which produced furniture by designers such
as Charles Eames. Taking over as chief executive officer in
1980 and then as chairman in 1987, he increased sales
dramatically through his distinctively worker-friendly
management style. His book, Leadership is An Art
(1989), has been reprinted in 10 languages.
Known
in both the corporate and nonprofit worlds for his
leadership wisdom. De
Pree pioneered the use of profit sharing, gain sharing, work
teams, and other participatory management practices. His
other leadership books include Leadership Jazz and Leading
Without Power.
DePree
is now chairman emeritus of Herman Miller, Inc., a member of
Fortune magazine's National Business Hall of Fame, and a
recipient of the Business Enterprise Trust's Lifetime
Achievement Award. He has served on the boards of Fuller
Theological Seminary, Hope College, and Words of Hope, and
as a member of the advisory board of the Peter F. Drucker
Foundation for Nonprofit Management.
DePree
has stated that respect for diversity is where it begins,
" ... it is fundamental that leaders endorse a concept
of persons. This begins with an understanding of people's
gifts and talents and skills ... Recognizing diversity helps
us to understand the need we have for opportunity, equity
and identity in the workplace. The company must, be
hospitable to the unusual person and to unusual ideas."
He
suggest that we should think of workers as
"volunteers," who ask ceaselessly ‘Is this a
place where I can do my best?’ DePree believes the
best institution encourages everyone to excel for their own
growth with an essential focus on performance, "Without
the promise of accountability, there are no true
opportunities and risks. And without true opportunity and
risk there is no chance to seize accountability..."
And
though "bearing pain," "owing" and
"indebtedness" are part of the leader's role, the
lasting reward of being a leader, of any group, is
"having the opportunity to make a meaningful difference
in the lives of those who permit leaders to lead."
Wishing
you great opportunities and reward in your service to
others.
Sincerely,
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