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Managing from the Heart

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Managing from the Heart

Dell,

15 min read
10 take-aways
Text available

What's inside?

When a hard-hearted manager learns to care, his life and his career reach new heights.

Editorial Rating

7

Qualities

  • Applicable
  • Well Structured
  • Inspiring

Recommendation

Once upon a time, in the early ’90s, a quartet of Atlanta organizational consultants – Hyler Bracey, Jack Rosenblum, Aubrey Sanford and Roy Trueblood – wrote this business management parable about a manager who grows from sour and crusty to sweet and caring. Their book caught the corporate world’s imagination and gave life to a “kinder, gentler” management style. Today, as authoritarian management tactics continue to fade and collaborative, empathetic leadership proves increasingly productive, their five axioms merit revisiting. These principles call for being understanding, supportive, perceptive, honest and compassionate. The story may be a bit schmaltzy, and it draws to a predictable conclusion; yet, because it departs from typical leadership tales and because it has hardily weathered the test of time, getAbstract recommends it to managers who want to succeed as leaders by being both effective and empathetic.

Summary

Harry’s Heart

Harry Hartwell’s day started in typical fashion. As he made the rounds at the Ramoco Oil Refinery, which he managed, he greeted workers by name and commented about any ongoing problems. Scurrying to look busy as the ex-football player strode down the hall, employees worried that his disapproving eye would scrutinize them. Harry had an intimidating presence. Though he prided himself on his straight-shooting style, as one employee put it, “He is a straight shooter, but he pulls the trigger a whole lot. And I don’t want to be a sitting target.”

Following in his father’s footsteps, Harry started working at Ramoco after college, moving steadily up the ranks until he became a manager. He loved his job and the oil industry, although the pressure of being the head honcho was beginning to take its toll. He had nightmares about losing control and experienced physical symptoms of stress such as recurring colds and shortness of breath. That day, as Harry announced upcoming layoffs, he felt a pain in his chest and passed out cold. An ambulance rushed him to the hospital, where he lay unconscious.

Harry awoke in an all-white room, surrounded by an iridescent ...

About the Authors

Speaker and consultant Hyler Bracey was former CEO and chairman of the Atlanta Consulting Group. Textbook author Aubrey Sanford was a co-founder, and Roy Trueblood and Jack Rosenblum (former head of New York City’s drug prevention program) were vice presidents.

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