Management... it's really hard

A reporter once asked me why business education continues to be such a popular field of study. After a long pause, I’m sure he didn’t expect something as brilliant as “well, management…it’s really hard.” Needless to say, my quote didn’t make it to the article. But that doesn’t matter, I brought it up because it is one reason I’ll always remember David A. Garvin, who passed away late last month after a long battle with cancer.

I told the story of my failed soundbite at a symposium David was leading with fellow HBS professor Srikant M. Datar. And he surprised me by using my quote to close the symposium the next day. It was perfectly timed to inspire the group of business educators how important their work is.

Yep, I’ve been bragging ever since that David Garvin once quoted me on management. If you want to be a better manager and leader and aren’t familiar with his writings, you might start with Sarah Cliffe’s piece “Reflecting on David Garvin’s Imprint on Management.” She describes his published work as "rich in wisdom and practical insight" on leadership and management; and as a must read "for anyone who aspiring to do that important work."

But David’s impact on management education was equally important. He was a staunch proponent of case studies and through his writings and teachings helped thousands of professors (and students) to use them most effectively. Rethinking the MBA, which David wrote with Srikant and Patrick Cullen, now my colleague at AACSB International, continues to inform curriculum change in MBA programs around the world. Last year I had the pleasure of talking with Srikant and David on video about the book and its impact. 

If there is anything harder than being manager, it is teaching people to be better at it. And David was a master of the craft. Everyone he taught was special to him, and we are better managers as a consequence.