Henry Mintzberg: Understanding Organizations, Strategy, Scenarios, Canoeing - 4Sight Chats #20

Summary

In this insightful interview, Henry Mintzberg critiques the current state of management education, emphasizing that management is more of a craft and art than a science. He argues that MBA programs fail to prepare managers for real-world practice, focusing too heavily on abstract theory. Mintzberg also critiques theory-heavy PhD programs and stresses the importance of experience in effective management. He advocates for a societal shift towards balancing the roles of private, public, and community sectors. Additionally, Mintzberg shares his views on education, policy reform, and personal balance through activities like canoeing, offering valuable insights for both academics and practitioners.

Takeaways

• 😀 Management education, particularly MBAs, is criticized for being overly theoretical and disconnected from practical experience.
• 😀 Management is more of an art and craft than a science, making it difficult to teach effectively in traditional classroom settings.
• 😀 PhD programs in management are becoming increasingly theory-heavy, which can lead to narrow empiricism and minimal connection to practice.
• 😀 Successful management education should focus on practical experience and reflection, rather than just theoretical frameworks or abstract theories.
• 😀 The disconnect between management theory and practice in business schools is not new, but it has become more pronounced in recent years.
• 😀 The typical MBA does not prepare individuals to become managers, but rather provides knowledge in business functions like marketing and finance.
• 😀 Good management education should enhance managers' ability to understand and reflect on their practice, rather than dictate solutions.
• 😀 PhD students in management, like managers, must balance between the concrete and the conceptual, with a focus on solving real-world problems.
• 😀 The solution for improving management education is to create specialized degree programs for specific business functions and general programs for experienced managers.
• 😀 Society should rebalance by giving more weight to communities, which have been neglected in the West, alongside the private and public sectors.
• 😀 To foster societal change, both overarching guidelines (such as a declaration of interdependence) and specific actions from individuals, communities, businesses, and governments are necessary.

Q & A

What is Henry Mintzberg's view on the traditional MBA program?

Henry Mintzberg argues that the traditional MBA program is inadequate for teaching management because it focuses too much on theory and not enough on practical experience. He emphasizes that management is a craft and an art, which cannot be effectively taught in a classroom. Instead, it requires real-world experience, much like how swimming cannot be taught solely through lectures but needs practice in the water.

How does Mintzberg differentiate between management as a science, profession, and craft?

Mintzberg distinguishes management as a craft rather than a science or a profession. While sciences and professions like medicine are based on established knowledge and methodologies, management is more about practical skills honed through experience. It's not a profession like being a physician, nor a science like physics; it’s a combination of art, craft, and a little bit of science.

Why does Mintzberg criticize the heavy focus on theory in PhD programs?

Mintzberg criticizes PhD programs, particularly in North America, for becoming overly focused on abstract theory. He believes that while theory is important, it should be grounded in real-world practice. He mentions that the research being produced often feels disconnected from practical applications, with convoluted titles and abstract concepts that don’t excite or inform practitioners.

What does Mintzberg think about the relationship between PhD students and real-world management experience?

Mintzberg suggests that PhD students, like managers, need to operate between the concrete (real-world experience) and the conceptual (theoretical ideas). However, he doesn't believe that PhD students need direct management experience to be effective researchers. Instead, they must be able to connect theory with practice, similar to how managers navigate between the conceptual and the practical aspects of their roles.

What are some of the specific shortcomings of MBA programs according to Mintzberg?

Mintzberg points out that MBA programs often train students to make quick, superficial decisions based on case studies about companies they’ve never worked for. This leads to a lack of depth in understanding how real companies operate. He argues that managers who rely solely on these types of simulations lack the true managerial skills developed through hands-on experience.

How does Mintzberg view the role of research in management education?

Mintzberg sees management research as crucial but believes it should be more grounded in real-world problems. He compares good research to detective work, requiring a deep, hands-on investigation into real issues, rather than focusing on narrow empirical studies that might lack practical value.

What is Mintzberg's approach to addressing the gaps in management education?

Mintzberg advocates for a more practical approach to management education, emphasizing specialized degree programs that focus on real-world skills. He supports programs where managers can reflect on their personal experiences and engage in discussions with peers. For example, he suggests that in MBA classrooms, half the time should be spent on managers sharing their own experiences, rather than just learning theoretical concepts.

What advice does Mintzberg offer for those who want to study management without prior experience?

For students without managerial experience, Mintzberg recommends focusing on becoming 'smarter' through courses in areas such as economics, anthropology, and organization theory. He believes that undergraduate business education should aim to build a broad knowledge base, preparing students to understand organizational dynamics, even if they’re not yet managers.

What are Mintzberg’s thoughts on the importance of communities in society?

Mintzberg argues that communities have been neglected in Western societies, and this neglect has contributed to societal imbalances. He believes that communities are the third pillar of society, alongside the private and public sectors, and that rebalancing society requires giving more importance to community life. He stresses that we need a shift toward community-driven values and actions.

How does Mintzberg suggest governments should support communities in rebalancing society?

Mintzberg suggests that governments can support communities by implementing policies that encourage the active involvement of citizens in local issues. He proposes creating frameworks that allow individuals and organizations to contribute creatively to social change. He believes this can be achieved through guidelines such as a 'Declaration of Interdependence,' which promotes understanding of our mutual reliance on each other and the planet.