FC NOW: The Fast Company Weblog
July 7, 2006
Should CEOs or Academics Teach Up-and-Coming Executives?
With a "leaders teaching leaders" model becoming the trend in executive-level training at many corporations, Fastcompany.com columnist, Jim Bolt, Chairman and founder of Executive Development Associates Inc. (EDA), examines the pros and cons in his latest installment "More Than MBAs."
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Posted by Lynne d Johnson at July 7, 2006 4:41 PM | Category: learning, training, + development |
5 Comments
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you are only aws good as your super boss will allow you to be.
Executives teaching lower level executives part of the normal cycle that occurs through the years. To those who are being taught, they should be reassured that upper management is confident in them and that the lower ranks have significant job security as the upper ranks are on their way to retirement. However, this will eventually change back to the power-preservation dynamic we saw a number of years ago. The lower ranking hot shots, posing significant threats to the jobs of those in the upper ranks, will receive limited training from outside the organization and be tasked with spiraling job assignments (ie. 80 + hour work weeks) to wear them out. Personally, I think this overall management dynamic correlates to which political party holds the majority in office. Republicans = more subdued displays of power & executives teaching executives. Democrats = more overt displays of power & an emphasis on flashy outside consultants.
To say that this will become a fad or the next new thing, is a mistake. This has been going on for years and is far superior to the worthless MBA program. It is becoming the biggest waste of money in education.
That is why not only executives teach, but so many speakers are hired to give input.
A college professor can't teach what they don't know.
those who can...do.
those who cant...teach.
I graduated with my MBA this past May. I believe that I learned a lot from the program, but I think that learning from someone who has years of first hand experience could be valuable as well.
As far as a MBA being worthless, I believe that it depends on what you’re doing with your career. Some organizations value education and others value first hand experience. In my area of expertise, educational background is highly regarded which is why I chose to obtain the MBA.