El liderazgo según Henry Ford

Summary

The story shares an anecdote about Henry Ford, who dined with two candidates for a director position at his company. Despite similar academic achievements, Ford hired one and not the other. When asked why, Ford explained that the hired candidate tasted his food before adding salt, unlike the other. More importantly, the chosen candidate was polite to the restaurant staff, showing respect to everyone, not just Ford. Ford emphasized that a great leader must see and value all people, not just those in positions of power.

Takeaways

• 🍽️ Henry Ford once invited the final two candidates for a dinner interview to decide who would join his company.
• 🎓 Both candidates had similar qualifications, having graduated from the same university with brilliant grades.
• 🤔 After the dinner, Ford informed one candidate that he was hired and the other that he wasn't selected, which surprised the rejected candidate.
• ❓ The rejected candidate asked Ford why he was not chosen, despite their conversation not involving engineering or relevant qualifications.
• 🧂 Ford explained that one reason was the hired candidate tasted his food before adding salt, while the rejected candidate added salt before tasting it.
• 💡 Ford valued people who assess situations before making changes, like tasting food before altering it.
• 🙏 The second and more important reason was that the hired candidate was polite and respectful to the waiters, using 'please' and 'thank you.'
• 🙈 Ford noticed that the rejected candidate only showed politeness to him and ignored the waiters, treating them as invisible.
• 🌟 Ford wanted a leader in his organization who could see and respect all people, regardless of their role in the hierarchy.
• 🔑 This story emphasizes the importance of small actions and manners in leadership and decision-making.

Q & A

What was the purpose of Henry Ford dining with the two candidates?

Henry Ford dined with the two candidates to evaluate them for a management position at his company, Ford.

What qualifications did the two candidates share?

Both candidates had graduated from the same university with similar, excellent grades, and were described as geniuses.

Why did Henry Ford hire one candidate and not the other?

Ford hired one candidate because he demonstrated two qualities: he tasted his food before adding salt, showing thoughtful decision-making, and he was polite and respectful to the waitstaff, demonstrating his ability to see and treat everyone with respect, not just those in positions of authority.

What did the rejected candidate ask Ford after learning he wasn't hired?

The rejected candidate asked why he wasn’t chosen, especially since the dinner conversation didn’t involve engineering, cars, or their academic backgrounds.

How did Henry Ford respond to the rejected candidate's question?

Ford explained that the decision was based on two key observations: the candidate’s friend tasted his food before adding salt, while the rejected candidate added salt without tasting; and the friend was polite to the waiters, while the rejected candidate only directed his politeness toward Ford.

What did the act of tasting food before adding salt signify to Ford?

It signified that the hired candidate was thoughtful and careful, preferring to experience something before making changes, an important quality for leadership.

Why did Ford emphasize politeness toward the waitstaff?

Ford valued leaders who can see and treat all people respectfully, not just those in positions of power. The ability to recognize and be courteous to everyone, regardless of status, was crucial to him.

What leadership qualities did Ford look for based on this story?

Ford valued leaders who were thoughtful, cautious about making decisions, and who respected and acknowledged everyone, regardless of their position in a hierarchy.

How did the rejected candidate fail to meet Ford’s expectations?

The rejected candidate showed a tendency to act impulsively (adding salt before tasting) and only demonstrated respect toward Ford, ignoring the waitstaff, which indicated a hierarchical mindset.

What lesson about leadership does this story convey?

The story conveys that great leaders are thoughtful in their actions and show respect to everyone, regardless of their position. Leadership is about more than technical knowledge—it’s about interpersonal awareness and considerate decision-making.