CFO Philosophy, The - To a child with an MBA, the world looks like KPIs

This book explores the modern management style that makes corporate life dreary and bureaucratic, and questions why it is so prevalent and why efforts to replace it often end up with something more of the same.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 128 pages
Publication date: 26 March 2021
Publisher: John Hunt Publishing

Since the 1920s, generations of managers have emerged from business schools worldwide, gradually taking over organizations in both the public and private sectors. Armed with only two objectives: defining targets and measuring progress, they have become the dominant force in corporate life. What gets measured gets done, and the rest of us are so caught up in this thinking that we cannot even see that alternative ways of leading exist.

This book explores the modern management style that has made corporate life dreary and bureaucratic. In a time where we should be enjoying the fruits of centuries of technological advances and spending more time on the good things in life, our lives are consumed by bureaucracy like never before. Almost nobody likes this, but whose fault is it? Where does the modern management style come from? Why do we have it, and why does every effort to replace it end up with something that becomes more of the same?

The roots of modern management can be traced back to the Industrial Revolution, when factories and production lines became the dominant mode of economic production. With the need for efficiency and productivity, managers were required to oversee large teams of workers and ensure that they were working at maximum capacity. This led to the development of management theories and practices that focused on controlling and managing human resources.

Over time, these theories and practices became standardized and were adopted by organizations across the world. The focus on efficiency and productivity led to the creation of bureaucratic systems and processes that were designed to ensure that everything ran smoothly and according to plan. However, as time went on, it became clear that this approach was not sustainable.

The modern management style is characterized by a focus on control and hierarchy, rather than on collaboration and creativity. Managers are often seen as decision-makers who are responsible for achieving organizational goals, rather than as leaders who inspire and motivate their teams. This can lead to a lack of engagement and motivation among employees, who feel that their voices are not being heard.

In addition, the modern management style is often associated with a hierarchical structure that divides employees into different groups and levels. This can create a sense of inequality and can lead to a lack of collaboration and communication between different departments and teams.

Despite these criticisms, the modern management style remains prevalent in many organizations. However, there is a growing movement towards more collaborative and innovative approaches to management. This movement is driven by a recognition of the importance of employee engagement and motivation, as well as the need for organizations to adapt to changing market conditions and technological advances.

One of the key challenges facing this movement is the need to shift the mindset of managers and employees away from a focus on short-term goals and towards a longer-term vision. This requires a shift in mindset from a "command and control" approach to a more collaborative and facilitative approach.

To achieve this, managers need to develop new skills and competencies, such as communication, empathy, and creativity. Employees need to be encouraged to take ownership of their work and to collaborate with their colleagues to achieve common goals.

In conclusion, the modern management style has become a dominant force in corporate life, but it is characterized by a focus on control and hierarchy and a hierarchical structure that divides employees into different groups and levels. This approach is not sustainable and is often associated with a lack of engagement and motivation among employees. However, there is a growing movement towards more collaborative and innovative approaches to management that are driven by a recognition of the importance of employee engagement and motivation, as well as the need for organizations to adapt to changing market conditions and technological advances. To achieve this, managers need to develop new skills and competencies, and employees need to be encouraged to take ownership of their work and to collaborate with their colleagues to achieve common goals.

Weight: 132g
Dimension: 216 x 164 x 11 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789043815