INTERVIEW

VIEW Interview

INTER Defi ning Leadership

An Interview with William W. George, Senior Fellow,

1990s, and we got into a “Me” generation of Entrepreneurs have certain characteristics. leaders. We had been choosing leaders for their I’m a builder – not a starter, but others are most charisma and style more so than for their sub- effective at starting organizations. There are cer- stance and character. tain people that get to this level and need a I decided to start writing about what it builder. means to be an authentic leader, what it means People can fi nd their sweet spots where William W. George to be a real person. Today’s leaders have their abilities come together with their motiva- changed dramatically, particularly those chosen tions. It’s also possible to be creative and practice EDITORS’ NOTE At Harvard Business School since 2008. These people have learned the hard entrepreneurship within a large organization. (HBS), Bill George has taught leadership as a way how not to do it. Since then, we’ve elected What would you say to the next gen- Professor of Management Practice since 2004. He an amazing group of authentic leaders as CEOs. eration of leaders and are we teaching them is the former Chair and Chief Executive Offi cer of Is it all bad when a leader is thought of the right things in academia today? and the author of four best-selling books. as a brand? The leaders are out there. We need to give His most recent book, Discover Your True North, It’s different for a founder like Bill them the opportunity to become leaders early was published in August 2015. Professor George Gates, or Howard Schultz. It’s generally dan- in their careers. It’s time the Baby Boomers, in is faculty chair of HBS’s executive education pro- gerous for CEOs to be the brand because they are many cases, step aside and turn leadership over gram Authentic Leadership Development and Co- going to move on. to the Gen-Xers and Millennials and tell them to Chair of Leading Global Enterprises. George For someone like you, who understands get their organizations back on a growth track. joined Medtronic in 1989 as President and Chief what it means to groom the next generation Are we teaching leadership well in aca- Operating Offi cer and was Chief Executive Offi cer academically, do you believe leadership can demia? No. We’re teaching so many managerial from 1991 to 2001, and Chairman of the Board be taught? skills that too many people are going on to be- from 1996 to 2002. Earlier in his career, he was You can’t teach leadership per se, but you come consultants, accountants, and special- an executive with and Litton Industries can create an environment where students can ists. We need to do a better job of developing and served in the U.S. Department of Defense. learn about their own leadership, but they have leaders in business schools. However, there is George currently serves as a director of Goldman to lead in their own way, and it can’t emulate no formulaic approach; no “seven easy steps” to Sachs and Mayo Clinic, and recently as Director someone else. To do that, they have to be real become a leader. We need to create an envi- of ExxonMobil, , and Target. He is a di- and authentic. Some leaders have underlying ronment where people can practice their lead- rector of USA, Minnesota’s anger that stems from their past – they have to ership in business schools – not just study other Destination Medical Center Corporation, and the deal with that. We ask everyone to deal with leaders but do it themselves and learn about Guthrie Theater. George received his B.S.I.E. with their issues. themselves so they’re prepared to go out into high honors from and his M.B.A. with It’s important to be authentic and vulner- the world and make things happen. high distinction from , where he able, and to acknowledge mistakes. It might The academic world is behind the business was a Baker Scholar. He has received honorary result in being challenged but honesty is key. world in terms of developing leaders. The great Ph.D.s from Georgia Tech, Mayo Medical School, What do you enjoy most about writing business organizations know how to develop University of St. Thomas, Augsburg College, and and were you hooked after putting together leaders by doing, and the great leaders have Bryant University. your fi rst book? the capacity to marry qualities of the heart with I found that writing was a way to reach qualities of the head. INSTITUTION BRIEF Founded in 1908 as part people. What I love to do the most is to mentor You put a 10-year limit on your role as of Harvard University, Harvard Business School and coach others. CEO at Medtronic. Why did you do that and is located on a 40-acre campus in Boston. Its fac- With the new book, I also want to reach the do you believe other companies should do ulty of more than 200 offers full-time programs Millennial generation, which has so much po- similarly? leading to the M.B.A. and doctoral degrees, as tential. I want them to think about these issues Organizations go through transitions and well as more than 80 open-enrollment Executive early on, not once they get to their desks. To they periodically need new leadership and cre- Education programs and more than 60 custom be great leaders, people have to use their gifts ativity, which can occur in a new environment. programs. For more than a century, HBS faculty that are unique to them and develop them – it’s The hardest thing is getting that transition right. have drawn on their research, their experience no different than being a musician or an athlete. It’s not just about fi nding an immediate replace- in working with organizations worldwide, and One needs to be serious about developing ment for the current CEO. The search must be their passion for teaching to educate leaders who as a leader because leading is a great challenge. for a real leader who can propel the business have shaped the practice of business and entre- But there is also no greater reward than hav- forward over the next 10 years. preneurship around the globe. ing impact, and leaders have huge impact on What makes Harvard so special for you? people and on society. Harvard as an institution has brought great Are there common traits among leaders? Having observed, met, and studied minds together but we’re also trying to develop It has changed a lot in my lifetime. We had many great entrepreneurs, how would you leaders with great hearts. Leaders can’t be great more hierarchical leaders from the 1960s to the describe them? unless they’re also good human beings.• 110 LEADERS POSTED WITH PERMISSION. COPYRIGHT © 2015 LEADERS MAGAZINE, INC. VOLUME 38, NUMBER 4