In recent management trend, team works, collaborations and bold leaderships have been developed in working environments for long decade. From the history of an operation management, there were many models about the functions of management. One of the examples is Mary Parker Follett’s theory, which is based on the art of getting things done through people.
Follett’s theory has a connection with the Power of Introverts concept by Susan Cain and
Introverted Leader by Jennifer Kahnweiler. Follett’s theory focuses on individuality that could be used as a critical focus to motivate people. Follett believed that people could be motivated in different ways rather than treat them in the same method. While Cain and Kahnweiler take specific focus on one type of characteristic which is introverts in order to raise the greater balance of power among to organization. This balance could be considered as one of the approaches to develop and motivate people in working environment. This essay will use 3 key principles of Follett’s theory and supports with of the current concepts of introvert characteristics by Cain and Kahnweiler.
Mary Parker Follett (1868 - 1933) was a social worker, a writer and an organizational consultant. She advocated “pull” strategy rather than “push” strategy for employee motivation, and developed insightful ideas about negotiation, conflict resolution and power sharing. Follett looked at management and leadership holistically, not just a collection of parts. Each part, each function and each person was seen as interdependent, and the key concept is interrelatedness.
Her model is about management by objectives, with people governing themselves, and interacting to achieve objectives through cooperation (Lewis, n.d.).
Apart from Follett’s theory, there is a concept of the power of introverts and introverts as a leader from two contributors, which
References: Cain, S. (2012). Quiet: The power of introverts in a world that can 't stop talking. New York: Crown Publishers. Crane, M., Domenec, Marti, R., Maria, J. (2003). Power of Authority: The Original Vision of Mary Parker Follett Follet, M. P. (1918). The New State. Retrieved from http://sunsite.utk.edu/FINS/Mary_Parker_Follett/Fins-MPF-01.html Kahnweiler, J. (2009). Why Introvert Can Make the Best Leader. Retrieved from http://www.forbes.com Learning for Work. (2013). Key Principles of Management and Leadership. Retrieved from www.learning-work.co.uk