Henry Mintzberg in Conversation

Montreal management guru Henry Mintzberg says,"management, as contemporarily practiced... poses grave dangers to us all."

Mintzberg watches manager work. He knows what bosses do. But he opposes MBA programs that grind out leaders ill-prepared to lead. The "cult of heroic leaderhsip," says Mintzberg denies the reality of organizational life.

Mintzberg remains popular in coporate circles while questioning the very notion of business efficiency. Mintzberg laments the trend in government bureaucracies and departments to develop policies and provide services like a business. Instead, he insists the public sector should manage itself with structures and values that reflect public service needs.