Managerismus

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The author introduces the term "managerism" to describe the prevalent leadership style in companies today, characterized by a disconnect between managers and employees, who are often referred to as "FTEs," "headcount," or "human capital." This shift has led to a decline in solidarity among company divisions, a reduction in social responsibility, and a loss of core values. Emerging in Germany during the 1990s, this trend peaked during the Internet boom and resurfaced during the recent banking crisis, occurring with increasing frequency. Manfred Hoefle presents managerism as a systemic flaw in the management of publicly listed companies, reflecting a distortion of management principles originally taught by Peter Drucker. This phenomenon can be likened to Gresham's Law, where bad behavior drives out good, often perceived as more successful. Contributing factors include the influence of capital markets, the widening gap between nominal and real economics, heightened competition, the systemic nature of large organizations, inherent human tendencies, and the impact of sensational media, consultants, and interventionist politicians. The book highlights various aspects of managerism, such as the prevalence of mercenaries in management and consultants shaping trends, while also offering concrete solutions for overcoming these challenges.