Death of a Coach
by John Agno
Published on this site: November 21st, 2005 - See
more articles from this month
On November 11, 2005, at the age of 95, Peter F. Drucker died
peacefully in his sleep at home.
Drucker's genius lay in his ability to find patterns among
seemingly unconnected disciplines and to focus on opportunities
rather than problems. Asked how he came up with so many original
insights, Drucker said, "I learn only through listening,"
pausing, "to myself."
It was never Drucker's style to bring people clear, concise
answers to their problems but rather to frame questions that
could uncover the larger issues standing in the way of performance.
"My job," he once lectured a client, "is to
ask questions. It's your job to provide answers."
Drucker never fit into the button-down stereotype of a management
consultant. He always worked from a home office filled with
books and classical records on shelves that groaned under
their weight. He never had a secretary, answered the telephone
himself and admitted he was something of a phone addict.
He responded to distracting requests with a preprinted postcard
that read: "Mr. Peter F. Drucker appreciates your kind
interest, but is unable to: contribute articles or forewords,
comment on manuscripts or books, take part in panels or symposia,
join committees or boards of any kind, answer questionnaires,
give interviews and appear on radio or television." Yet,
when asked to spend time with an unknown and unproven young person seeking his or her
way in the world, Drucker freely gave the better part of a
day to mentor and give guidance.
"One does not make a difference unless it is a difference
in people's lives." Joseph Alois Schumpeter (1883-1950)
Source: John A. Byrne, Executive Editor BusinessWeek, Nov.
28, 2005
John G. Agno, certified executive & business
coach Signature, Inc., PO Box 2086, Ann Arbor, MI 48106 Telephone:
734.426.2000 (US Eastern Time Zone)Email: mailto:[email protected]
The most critical knowledge is self-knowledge. http://www.MentoringandCoaching.com
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