February 15, 2006
What Makes an Effective Law Firm Managing Partner?
The HBR special section included excerpts from his June 2004 article “What Makes an Effective Executive.” Drucker identifies nine practices that effective executives had in common:
- They listened first and spoke last.
- They asked, “What needs to be done?”
- They asked, “What is right for the enterprise?”
- They developed action plans.
- They took responsibility for decisions.
- They took responsibility for communicating.
- They were focused on opportunities rather than problems.
- They ran productive meetings
- They thought and said “we” rather than “I”.
To expand on Drucker’s nine practices I would point you to Jim Collins, the author of “From Good to Great” and a regular contributor to the Harvard Business Review. For Jim Collins, there is a place above Drucker’s effective executive. It is the place of the truly great leader. The culture where the truly great leader would exercise Drucker’s nine practices is one where the individual possesses both humility and professional will. These extraordinary leaders are modest and willful, shy and fearless. They do not have egos that get in the way. They understand and remain consistent on three things
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- What their organization can be the best at in the world
- How its economics work best
- What best ignites the passions of its people
For more on Jim Collins’ view of the truly great leader see my prior post, Level 5 Leadership in the Law Firm.
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Filed under Management by Tom Collins