business management

Machiavelli business ethics is relevant in high tech

Introduction
Machiavelli The Prince book cover

Machiavelli The Prince is still relevant in high tech management and leadership and business ethics

Can a 16th-century political treatise provide any guidance on today’s competitive environment? Machiavelli business ethics lessons in The Prince are still relevant because it emphasizes the acquisition and sustenance of influence. Acquired and sustained influence by leaders and managers is important. Yet, there are two camps among scholars regarding the relevancy of Niccolò Machiavelli’s book The Prince (Machiavelli, 1992) to modern day management and leadership. Some scholars argue that the book has never been or is no longer relevant to business management and leadership (Agbude, 2014; Fournel, 2014; Jackson, 2013; Tillyris, 2015). Some contend that it is indeed relevant (Konno, 2014; O’Sullivan, 2014; Rojek, 2014; Ruggiero, 2015; Soll, 2014; Thomas, 2014).

The Prince is still relevant

Herein, it is argued that this work by Machiavelli is indeed relevant. In particular, it is widely accepted that leaders and managers are more effective if they have influence. However, some wrongly associate Machiavelli primarily with the advocacy of vile tactics of manipulation. It is argued herein that The Prince has an over-arching emphasis on the importance of a leader’s or manager’s acquisition and sustenance of influence.

This article provides a number of modern-day examples of how Machiavellian lessons are and can be applied today in the high-tech arena. Certainly, we need to learn from flawed leaders because many corporate leaders have malicious or corrupt tendencies. Also, when leaders are coercive to maintain power and order, it is viewed as bad leadership. This is because there is a yearning for feel-good stories (Kellerman, 2004). We can examine the high-technology business leader examples put forth in this response. It is important to note that these leaders’ characters shape their workplace behavior. They also shape business decisions.

Summary

The examples provided herein are not sufficient. They are not sufficient to inform whether these leaders have the elements of the ‘Return on Character’ (ROC). The ROC is the magic formula for creating value. Some leaders want to create value plain and simple. They may honestly believe that their decisions are the right choices. Certain leaders in the examples may be bad actors that are overly ambitious and greedy. They seek to gain at others’ detriment. Many do both by seeking to do right and create value, and act badly in the process. All people display both vile and kind motives and choices (Kiel, 2015; Wilson, 1998). Thus, the nature of character is as complex and varied as the real world.  Again, given the importance of acquired and sustained influence by leaders and managers, Machiavelli business ethics lessons in The Prince are still relevant.

Read more…

Machiavelli ethics lessons are relevant in high tech

 

Introduction
Machiavelli The Prince book cover

Machiavelli The Prince is still relevant in high tech management and leadership and business ethics

Can a 16th-century political treatise provide any guidance on today’s competitive environment? Machiavelli ethics lessons in The Prince are still relevant because it emphasizes the acquisition and sustenance of influence. Acquired and sustained influence by leaders and managers is important. Yet, there are two camps among scholars regarding the relevancy of Niccolò Machiavelli’s book The Prince (Machiavelli, 1992) to modern day management and leadership. Some scholars argue that the book has never been or is no longer relevant to business management and leadership (Agbude, 2014; Fournel, 2014; Jackson, 2013; Tillyris, 2015). Some contend that it is indeed relevant (Konno, 2014; O’Sullivan, 2014; Rojek, 2014; Ruggiero, 2015; Soll, 2014; Thomas, 2014).

The Prince is still relevant

Herein, it is argued that this work by Machiavelli is indeed relevant. In particular, it is widely accepted that leaders and managers are more effective if they have influence. However, some wrongly associate Machiavelli primarily with the advocacy of vile tactics of manipulation. It is argued herein that The Prince has an over-arching emphasis on the importance of a leader’s or manager’s acquisition and sustenance of influence.

This article provides a number of modern-day examples of how Machiavellian lessons are and can be applied today in the high-tech arena. Certainly, we need to learn from flawed leaders because many corporate leaders have malicious or corrupt tendencies. It is viewed as bad leadership when leaders coerce to maintain power and order, . This is because there is a yearning for feel-good stories (Kellerman, 2004). We can examine the high-technology business leader examples put forth in this response. It is important to note that these leaders’ characters shape their workplace behavior. They also shape business decisions.

Summary

The examples provided herein are not sufficient. They are not sufficient to inform whether these leaders have the elements of the ‘Return on Character’ (ROC). The ROC is the magic formula for creating value. Some leaders want to create value plain and simple. They may honestly believe that their decisions are the right choices. Certain leaders in the examples may be bad actors that are overly ambitious and greedy. They seek to gain at others’ detriment. Many do both by seeking to do right and create value, and act badly in the process. All people display both vile and kind motives and choices (Kiel, 2015; Wilson, 1998). Thus, the nature of character is as complex and varied as the real world.  Again, given the importance of acquired and sustained influence by leaders and managers, Machiavelli business ethics lessons in The Prince are still relevant.

Read more…