By Claire Walden
Vice President
“What would Peter Drucker – “the father of modern management,” think about the recent leadership change in America?” Sitting among Drucker experts, disciples and emerging leaders at the New York City Drucker Society's monthly meeting, a profound evening discussion about President-elect Barack Obama, our economy and the financial crisis was ignited.
About a year and a half ago, the New York City Drucker Society was launched, as others around the country began to emerge, with hopes that Peter Drucker’s principles be converted into action in communities across the country and all over the world. Initially established abroad, today, more than 10 Drucker Societies exist in four continents.
I was invited to join the meeting by Lee Igel, an assistant professor at New York University who heads up the New York City Drucker Society. I learned that the mission of the Society meetings is not only to prompt members and guests to critically think and discuss relevant social, economic and political topics, but to incorporate and apply Drucker’s principles into their companies and communities.
Drawing inspiration from Drucker’s “Six Rules for Presidents,” the evening’s dialogue was one of the liveliest discussions I have had recently and I would say that the goal of the meeting was surely accomplished, as I realized how soundly Peter Drucker’s ideas and principles, written down almost 15 years ago, resonate today.
Anyone is welcome to attend Drucker Society meetings, and “the common denominator is an interest in building community by thinking through, understanding and applying Drucker's principles.”
The Drucker Institute serves as the hub for Drucker Societies, and to learn more about becoming a Society member, attending a monthly meeting or starting a Drucker Society in your community, you can visit the Drucker Institute website.