Doug Kirkpatrick
Doug Kirkpatrick, a consultant, author, and speaker, is known for his work on self-management. He was part of the core team that helped build Morningstar, a billion-dollar company that operates without any human bosses, managers, titles, or command authority. The company's unique approach to self-management caught the attention of Gary Hamel, a renowned management expert, and led to the feature of Morningstar on the cover of the Harvard Business Review in 2011.
The Early Days
Doug Kirkpatrick's journey started in the eighties and nineties when he joined an entrepreneur named Chris Roofer. The core team adopted an organizational system called self-management with two principles that would form the foundation of the company,
No Force. |
Never use force on others. |
Keep Promises |
Do what you promise. |
Clear and Self-Evident
Doug argues that these principles are clear and self-evident and form the foundation of all law everywhere in the world. The team transformed themselves in a matter of hours and they created a billion-dollar, largest tomato processor in the world with multiple factories and a global reach.
The Impact of Self-Management
The system has created an environment where people manage themselves, without force and coercion. Employees are free to innovate and create, and there are no bosses or managers to tell people what to do. The system has led to a highly self-motivated workforce, increased productivity, and improved customer satisfaction.
Leadership is about embodying values that are important to the organization. By doing so, leaders can empower their teams to be innovative, agile, and adaptable in the face of challenges.
