Leadership Lessons from Hogwarts By Chris Bones, Dean, Henley Business School

Following the announcement that he is to step down as Dean of Henley Business School, Chris Bones here offers his thoughts on why business leaders might take a lesson or two from Headmaster Albus Dumbledore of Harry Potter’s Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

In 2006, I wrote an article for The Financial and discord: “Differences of habit and he challenges one of his staff members: “If Times drawing a parallel between business language are nothing at all if our aims are you are holding out for universal popularity education and Hogwarts School (of Harry identical and our hearts are open”. Indeed, I’m afraid you’ll be in this cabin for a very Potter fame). As I step down after six years in this is a leadership principle that, rather long time. Not a week has passed since I business education, Criticaleye has challenged surprisingly to some, has been adopted in became headmaster of this School, when me to demonstrate that the comparison could the UK by the new coalition government I haven’t had at least one owl complaining reach right across into business, particularly which, despite the media cynicism, seems about the way I run it”. This is a reminder following the global financial crisis. I have to have a strong appeal to the majority of that it is more important to do the right thing no hesitation in arguing that it does. the country. It is certainly a principle that than that which retains your popularity. will need adopting by those leading public Behind the adventures of Harry Potter lies sector organisations facing significant These principles are in themselves worthy an institution in which any CEO would, change as government spending is reduced. foundations for any organisation, but particularly after a very difficult and trying there is one final item that for me makes week, recognise as having similarities with Philosopher Dumbledore the ideal role model for the their own. Like it or not, Hogwarts is closer to modern leader – his understanding of himself. the truth of working in a modern organisation As a philosopher faced with the job of helping than any of us would like to admit. Now you Harry Potter live with the fact that he has the As leaders of organisations we are responsible might say, ‘Well an academic one obviously’, same skills as Voldemort, the evil villain of for far more than our own success. As we take but having worked in both industry and the stories, he asserts that, “It is a our choices our stands, set our directions, and invest in our academia, I can personally attest to there that show what we truly are, far more than futures, we should do so with these words given being more than a few commonalities. our abilities”. This is an insight that should in response to the question; “But do you think underpin all management decisions as we you’re right?” ringing in our ears: “Naturally I These commonalities include, disagreements stand by and watch the challenges facing BP as do but, as I have already proven to you, I make over purpose and vision within the stories emerge about doubts being expressed mistakes like the next man. In fact, being – leadership team, challenges to the brand and over the oil drilling in the Gulf last year; the forgive me – rather cleverer than most men, my corporate reputation, frustrations with staff behaviour of the cabin staff of British Airways mistakes tend to be correspondingly huger”. management and relationships, demanding protecting perks and pay way above those in non-executive directors, old buildings and competing companies, and the continuing © Criticaleye 2010 plants that don’t meet today’s requirements, refusal of the leaders of the banking industry continual attempts to bend the rules by to address the vast gulf in earnings between everyone in the organisation and indeed the the senior roles (especially in investment Chris Bones Dean, Henley Business School odd member of staff who seems to be a ghost! banking) and the rest of society: particularly when those salaries are underpinned Facing these difficulties at Hogwarts is a man by public investment and funding. who should inspire any of us in a leadership Chris was appointed Dean of Henley Business role today: Professor Albus Dumbledore. Equally, he adds one further principle School at the University of Reading on 1st which should underpin much of what we August 2008 having previously held the post of Principal of Henley Management College Dumbledore stands out as a moralist, teach: “The consequences of our actions since January 2005. He has significant philosopher, and pragmatist and as are always so complicated, so diverse, international business experience and a one who knows his own frailties. that predicting the future is a very difficult reputation as a leading practitioner in executive business indeed”. I suggest this is taken education and development, change and HR Moralist to heart by anyone leading strategy. strategy. Chris writes a regular column for HR magazine and is a highly regarded speaker As a moralist, facing the challenge of those Pragmatist at international conferences on change, who would see the triumph of the Dark HR strategy and employment branding. Arts, he addresses his school, warning of As a pragmatist, Dumbledore recognises the Contact Chris through www.criticaleye.net the danger of those who spread enmity impossibility of effective leadership when