Posted on 11/19/2004 12:49:15 PM PST by Borges
Management man turns 95
Drucker still influences CEOs
By JOE FLORKOWSKI STAFF WRITER
CLAREMONT - Whatever you do, don't call Peter Drucker "the father of management."
Although the Claremont resident is oft credited with introducing management theory to America, Drucker scoffs at being labeled the father of modern management.
"It's simply nonsense - and it annoys me," Drucker wrote in a faxed response to interview questions. "I am at best the great grandson."
Drucker cites three or four people who introduced management theories to America and theorizes its study goes back to the late-eighties. The late 1880s, that is.
The fact that Drucker can remember who originated management theory is a testament to his longevity - he turns 95 today - and his keen mind, which after nearly a century remains as sharp as ever.
Seen as one of the most influential business thinkers in the 20th century, Drucker's books and theories on management have influenced many of America's top executives.
"Some of the most effective executives around the world have used his material," said Joseph Maciariello, who collaborated with Drucker on his newest book, The Daily Drucker. "There is a whole litany of CEOs that have built their careers on one or more aspects of Drucker's work."
Born in Vienna, Austria, in 1909, Drucker wrote his first book, "The End of Economic Man," in 1938. Since then he has written 34 more, including The Daily Drucker which contains 366 tips on getting things done or one for each day of a leap year.
Those theories and his impact on the business world have earned Drucker several accolades, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002.
The Peter F. Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University, where he taught between 1971 and 2002, is named after him, as well.
Although his hearing is not as good as it once was, Drucker continues to lecture through the Internet and other forums, although he does not consider himself primarily a lecturer.
"I have taught since my 20th birthday in 1929 but always as a relaxation and enjoyment. Never as my main job -- my main job has always been writing followed by consulting," Drucker wrote to the Bulletin.
Working, lecturing and writing have kept Drucker busy and is one of the keys to becoming successful, he wrote to the Bulletin.
When asked what one skill managers need to possess to become better managers, Drucker simply writes: "Willingness to work hard."
Drucker has always been a man of intregity who possesses good manners, although he can be blunt at times, Maciariello said.
"Despite his reputation and intellectual stature, he is anything but hard to approach," Maciariello said.
The success of Drucker has been his ability to perceive what is going to happen, Maciariello said.
"He was very early to see the emergence of the corporation as a powerful force," he said.
However, despite the management theories, Drucker has always advocated the freedom of people, in companies and countries, Maciariello said.
That passion for seeing democratic institutions perform has resonated with Maciariello.
"I can't tell you how much I appreciate that in his work," Maciariello said. "I think he's one of the true Renaissance people."
PROFILE: Who: Peter F. Drucker What: The Claremont resident and nationally-recognized author, consultant, lecturer turns 95 today. Things you need to know about him: Drucker has written 35 books, including the newest one "The Daily Drucker." - He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002 for his work on management theory. - Major CEOs, including former General Electric CEO Jack Welch, have listed Drucker as an influence. - His first book on management, "Concept of the Corporation," came out in 1946 and was based on a study Drucker did of the management system at General Motors. - He was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1909 and was educated in Austria, England and Germany.
He's still alive? I remember studying his work in college a number of years ago. Thought he was dead!
A truly fantasic individual. His thoughts are well reasoned and well spoken.
I believe I am correct in saying that George Marshall's recognition of the need to assist in reconstructing former enemy nations (based on their taking the initiative) through the success of the European Recovery Plan ("Marshall Plan") after WWII made an important impression on Drucker in underscoring that capitalism with responsible management did not have the fatal flaws the communists and socialists were ascribing to it.
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