Are you aware of the critical role trust plays in business and how it can lead to future success? Have you ever questioned how your physical environment reflects your corporate values? Do you know the importance of emotional authenticity in leadership? Are you curious about the unique blend of ownership and employee engagement at the iconic Herman Miller company?

Leadership Is an Art

Max De Pree, the author, is a former CEO of Herman Miller and is the son of D. J. De Pree, the founder of Herman Miller. He shares an intriguing story of his father's early days.

In the 1920s, factory machines were run by pulleys connected to a central drive shaft powered by a steam engine fueled by sawdust—a beautiful cycle overseen by a crucial figure: the millwright. 

One day, the millwright died. Max's father, unsure of the protocol, visited the family. The widow read poetry, which turned out to be written by her late husband. This story left us wondering: Was he a poet who worked as a millwright, or a millwright who wrote poetry?

This story highlights the importance of recognizing the diverse talents within a corporate setting. Understanding and valuing these differences allow leaders to harness the unique gifts each person brings to the table. Leadership, at its core, is about defining reality, serving others, and expressing gratitude. True leaders enable others to reach their potential and foster a culture where diverse talents can thrive.

Effective leadership involves nurturing future leaders, fostering a sense of quality, and encouraging open dialogue. It’s about creating an environment where people can grow, contribute, and feel valued. Leaders owe their institutions not just financial health but also a legacy of values and a culture of continuous learning.

Participative management, which values persuasion over power, is essential. It’s about believing in people’s potential and ensuring decisions are open to influence and scrutiny. This approach fosters high-quality relationships and a sense of belonging and accountability among team members.

Ultimately, leadership is about making a meaningful difference in the lives of those you lead, ensuring their work is fulfilling and appreciated. It’s about creating a participative, respectful, and trusting environment where everyone’s unique gifts are recognized and valued.

Can Your Leadership Unleash the Hidden Talents in Your Team?

The Polish government once announced meat rationing to restore faith in socialism, and Iraq sent diplomats to promote peace during war—both are clear contradictions. This highlights the danger of a single point of view, often seen in management's perspective on productivity. Management needs to understand the producer's side to foster a new concept of work—work that is not only productive but also meaningful and fulfilling.

At Herman Miller, designers like George Nelson and Charles Eames have shown that creativity and change are tough in bureaucratic environments. Creativity often means change, which is hard for structured organizations to handle. Both creators and implementers are crucial, and their roles shouldn’t be confined to hierarchical terms like "boss" and "subordinate."

To redefine work, we must recognize eight essential rights: 
1. The right to be needed, 
2. The right to be involved, 
3. The Right to a Covenantal Relationship,
4. The Right to understand the mission, 
5. The Right to influence one’s destiny, 
6. The Right to be accountable, 
7. The Right to appeal decisions, and 
8. The Right to make commitments. 
These rights align with the concept that every individual’s role is vital.

For example, on an Easter Sunday, a man collapsed in church, and while the hierarchical leaders didn't respond, roving leaders—a paramedic and others—stepped up immediately. This incident underscores the importance of roving leadership, where individuals take charge in critical moments regardless of their official roles. This kind of leadership demands trust, discipline, and the acknowledgment of each other’s competencies.

Similarly, Intimacy with work fosters competence. A restaurant owner personally delivering dinner to a customer who had been ignored demonstrates this. Intimacy arises from a deep understanding and passion for one’s work, transcending mere contractual relationships. Covenantal relationships in the workplace foster shared commitments, values, and goals, enabling meaningful and fulfilling work.

Redefining Work: Embracing Intimacy, Trust, and Shared Leadership for a Productive and Fulfilling Workplace

Imagine a vineyard where workers never taste the fruit they cultivate or a shepherd who never drinks the milk from his flock. These analogies, drawn from Corinthians, provoke us to think deeply about the capitalist system and its future. 

As a Christian, Max believes every person is made in the image of God, and bestowed with unique gifts. This belief translates into a leadership philosophy that values diversity and inclusiveness.

Capitalism, historically exclusive, has often limited equitable distribution and meaningful involvement. To evolve, it must become inclusive, embracing the diversity of human gifts. This shift isn't just about financial gains; it's about recognizing every person's intrinsic value and fostering deep, enabling relationships.

Take the story of Jim Eppinger from Herman Miller. During the grim times of the Great Depression, Jim’s family had no Christmas tree or gifts because the company couldn't pay his sales commissions. Yet, Jim treasured that period because he was given a new sales territory—a gift of opportunity that changed his life. Giants like Jim see potential where others see despair.

George Nelson, another Herman Miller giant, advocated for including Charles Eames, a remarkable designer, despite limited resources. His inclusive vision helped shape an era of groundbreaking furniture design. Giants like George and Jim exemplify the power of giving space for others to thrive.

Inclusiveness requires lavish communication, fair wages, involvement, and opportunities for personal growth. It demands leaders who view their role as a condition of indebtedness, offering space, challenges, and meaning to their teams.

Incorporating diverse gifts and fostering a sense of belonging are crucial. The goal is not merely to survive but to thrive, making capitalism a system where everyone can participate and reach their potential.

The challenge of renewal lies in maintaining these values amidst inevitable change. True renewal comes from serving others, not self-perpetuation. Corporate success depends on fostering an environment where individuals' gifts are recognized and utilized, ensuring both personal and collective growth.

Can Capitalism Thrive Through Diversity and Inclusiveness?

In the world of American corporations, ownership can be broadly categorized into three groups: those who invest money, those who invest their lives and gifts, and those who contribute part-time with special skills or talents. Understanding these characteristics is crucial for anyone involved in a corporation, whether they're employees, consultants, or owners.

Ownership attitudes differ—some focus on short-term gains, while others prioritize long-term growth. An insightful example comes from a business magazine where a company president admitted he would act differently if his compensation depended on this year’s return on equity, revealing a short-term mindset. In contrast, Robert Greenleaf’s "Servant Leadership" emphasizes an approach rooted in love and unlimited liability, highlighting a deeper commitment to stewardship over mere profit.

Herman Miller exemplifies this blend of ownership and employee engagement. Over twenty years ago, the company began selling stock to a small group of dedicated executives. Today, all full-time U.S. employees who have completed one year of service are stockholders. This dual role of employee-stockholder fosters a participative management process, initiated by the Scanlon Plan under Dr. Carl F. Frost. Employee ownership here is not just motivational but also competitive—ownership is earned, profits are shared, and risks are taken collectively.

Communication is another cornerstone of effective corporate culture. It’s not just about sending and receiving information but about fostering trust, understanding, and shared vision. An example of effective communication is a story about a grandson locked in a bathroom, where touching hands under the door maintained a connection despite physical barriers. This story highlights the importance of clear and empathetic communication in overcoming challenges.

However, leaders must also be vigilant against signs of corporate entropy—deterioration that can creep in unnoticed. Signals include superficiality, tension among key people, neglect of celebration, and a focus on rewards over goals. Recognizing and intercepting these signs is crucial for maintaining a healthy corporate culture.

In essence, true corporate success lies in a blend of committed ownership, participative management, and effective communication. Herman Miller’s example shows that when employees are also owners, they bring a deeper level of engagement and responsibility, which is essential for the long-term health and success of the corporation.

Herman Miller's Success Formula: Ownership, Engagement, and Communication

In the world of business, performance reviews are pivotal moments for reflection and planning. They offer an opportunity to ask, "What’s next?" and realign goals and principles. Leaders, especially, must look towards the future, as their real influence is often felt months or years down the line. Trust is a crucial element in this process, facilitating future success and forgiving past errors.

Max remembers a conversation at Herman Miller about a new inventory-management program. A team member questioned Max's dedication despite his lack of full understanding. This discussion uncovered a key insight: while thorough understanding isn't always achievable, mutual trust and commitment to each other’s roles are vital.

Performance reviews should be comprehensive and include questions that stimulate profound reflection. Max frequently asks his senior managers: What are your main accomplishments? What is your management philosophy? Are you comfortable sharing your philosophy with your team? What do you expect from the CEO? These queries aid in evaluating both personal and organizational growth.

The physical environment, like the facilities at Herman Miller, also mirrors corporate values. During harsh economic times, questions arose about the expense of maintaining their ponds. These ponds weren't just for aesthetics; they served practical functions such as flood control and fire safety. This example underscores the significance of constructing environments that reflect values and support the community.

Selecting future leaders, such as vice presidents, is another critical decision. These individuals should possess integrity, embrace diversity, and be open to differing opinions. They must also communicate effectively and lead by serving others. Leadership is about vision and leaving a legacy, intertwining the organization's people and future.

Emotional authenticity is essential in leadership. Max once read a heartfelt letter from a mother of a handicapped employee to their officers and directors, and he couldn't finish without tearing up. This vulnerability in leadership cultivates trust and connection. Conversely, a manager’s plea for improved communication from headquarters highlighted areas needing enhancement and served as a reminder that empathy and responsiveness are crucial.

Elegant leaders liberate potential by understanding that relationships require covenants, not just contracts. Wisdom transcends facts, and joy is a necessary ingredient of leadership. This journey towards elegance and completeness is continuous and shared. By striving for excellence, Max inspires others to do the same, creating a harmonious and thriving organizational culture.

Can Trust and Emotional Authenticity be the Game Changers in Business Leadership?

True leadership is about defining reality, serving others, and expressing gratitude. It is about enabling others to reach their potential and fostering a culture where diverse talents can thrive.

Leadership also involves nurturing future leaders and fostering a sense of quality through open dialogue, creating an environment where everyone feels valued. Participative management, which values persuasion over power, ensures decisions are open to influence and scrutiny, fostering high-quality relationships.

Making a meaningful impact in the lives of those we lead is crucial, ensuring their work is fulfilling and appreciated. Creating a participative, respectful, and trusting environment where everyone's unique gifts are recognized and valued is essential.

To redefine work, we must recognize fundamental rights such as involvement, understanding the mission, and influencing one’s destiny. Fostering intimacy with work, trusting roving leadership, and acknowledging each other's competencies are vital.

Inclusiveness in capitalism is essential, valuing diversity and fostering deep, enabling relationships. This approach leads to personal and collective growth, ensuring everyone can reach their potential. Ownership and employee engagement, as seen at Herman Miller, show that participative management and effective communication are key to long-term success.

In leadership, emotional authenticity and striving for completeness are crucial. True leadership involves continuous striving for our best, inspiring others, and fostering a harmonious organizational culture.

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Leadership Is an Art

Max Depree

6 Key ideas

13 MINS

4.6 (619)

Are you aware of the critical role trust plays in business and how it can lead to future success?

Have you ever questioned how your physical environment reflects your corporate values?

Do you know the importance of emotional authenticity in leadership?

Are you curious about the unique blend of ownership and employee engagement at the iconic Herman Miller company?