Two IBM Executives' Views on Change: Rodgers and Gerstner

 F. G. (Buck) Rodgers: "Mr. IBM"

A Realistic Perspective in a Distributed, Decentralized, Decision Making Organization

"We live in a changing world and the future cannot be predicted with certainty. That's an obvious statement, but how we deal with change and the future is not so obvious.

​"Change can be an ally when your company is alert and sensitive and has its antennae reaching in all directions, picking up all the signals around you.

​"Of course, change will be your enemy if it catches you by surprise. You must control change--or change will control you.

​"To the fearful, change is threatening. They know that things will somehow get worse. The hopeful have faith that change will make things better. But to those special people who love a challenge and are "light on their feet," change is stimulating and exciting. They are the people who can make a difference. They can make a company.

"The people who make things happen are in demand and should be guarded jealously. Those who watch things happen and those who aren't sure what's happening are left behind."

Buck Rodgers, The IBM Way

 Louis V. (Lou) Gerstner

An Myopic Perspective in a Centralized, Controlling, Hierarchical Organization

"Nobody likes change. ​Whether you are a senior executive or an entry-level employee, change represents uncertainty and, potentially, pain.

​"So there must be a crisis, and it is the job of the CEO to define and communicate that crisis, its magnitude, its severity, and its impact.

"Just as important, the CEO must also be able to communicate how to end the crisis--the new strategy, the new company model, the new culture."

Louis V. Gerstner, Who Says Elephants Can't Dance?

 This Author's Perspective and Thoughts

Put these two insights together you come up with this:

​Evidently, Gerstner surrounded himself with fearful people--who saw change as threatening. So, he had to motivate them and everything depended on him to end a crisis. Buck Rodgers surrounding himself with "special people," who loved a challenge and were "light on their feet." Surrounded by these individuals, he had antennae reaching in all directions to see change coming and exploit it.

You decide which of these executives created a work environment that was stimulating and exciting.

Which executive would you want to work for?

Select this button to read a review of Buck Rodgers' "The IBM Way"