The Future of Management

In this summary you will learn

• How the science of management is changing
• Why management must change
• How management innovation can revitalize your organization at all levels

getAbstract rating

Why you should read The Future of Management

This is a well-wrought, ambitious and fascinating book. For these reasons, and for its specific suggestions about how to produce management innovation, getAbstract recommends it to anyone who is interested in innovation, in managing for innovation, and in how management is changing. Gary Hamel’s ambition is impressive. He works with the idea of the paradigm shift developed by Thomas Kuhn in his influential book, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. Hamel applies Kuhn’s concept to management, arguing persuasively for the need to change managerial theories and practices. Where Hamel’s study directs you for inspiration is particularly fascinating. How many authors suggest modeling management on Google, evolutionary biology and religion (to name but three examples)? While his examples of organizations that practice management innovation do differ from the industrial-age norm he wants to displace, some of his concepts are not as revolutionary as others, nor as radical as a paradigm shift might mandate. After all, many other experts have already suggested that hierarchical, top-down management may stifle innovation. Nonetheless, Hamel’s book fulfills most of its ambitions. It is wide-ranging and quite useful.

About the Author

Gary Hamel, author of Leading the Revolution and co-author of Competing for the Future, has been on faculty at the London Business School since 1983. Bill Breen is the founding senior editor of the magazine Fast Company.