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October 18, 2004

Mangers not MBAs

Henry Mintzberg

Here's a book I haven't read but it is on my wish list. Mintzberg is one of my favourite authors.

I'm not sure if I have ever held MBAs in high regard. From the reviews I've read Mintzberg is offering his insight into what is wrong with this form of "management training".

From getAbstract:

He marshals a powerful array of facts to support his thesis that graduate schools of business have perpetrated one of the most successful con jobs in history.

On his own site, Mintzberg offers the observation that Convetional MBA programs are offered for the wrong people - "young people with little or no experience"; traing them in the wrong ways - "to emphasize analysis and technique" and result in the wrong consequences - "a corrupting effect on the practice of management as well as on our organizations and societies".

Instead, he argues, that these programs should only be offered to experienced practicing managers: "No one can create a manager in a classroom. But existing managers can significantly improve their practice in a thoughtful classroom that makes use of that experience."

Posted by chriscurnow at October 18, 2004 2:13 AM

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