If Harry Potter Ran General Electric: Leadership Wisdom from the World of the Wizards

　　This book has not been prepared, approved, or licensed by any person or entity that created, published, or produced the Harry Potter books or related properties.

　　J.K. Rowling's novels about Harry Potter and the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry have captured the imaginations of children and adults alike. Portraying a world of magic distinct from, yet intermingling with, the ordinary, nonmagical "Muggle" world, the saga is rich in adventure-and in insights into the ways of the real world. In IF HARRY POTTER RAN GENERAL ELECTRIC, Tom Morris uncovers the messages hidden in Rowling's hugely popular series and illuminates the lessons they offer business people.

　　Morris shows that the most difficult problems Harry and his friends face are rarely solved by the use of magic alone. Rather, they are conquered by intelligence, reasoning, planning, determination, creativity, fidelity, trust, friendship, and other classic virtues-the very qualities, in fact, that make for successful leadership in business. Blending an array of provocative examples from the novels with thought-provoking commentary and insights on contemporary management practices, IF HARRY POTTER RAN GENERAL ELECTRIC will help readers work their own brand of magic to create a productive and profitable business and career.

Chapter One

ALBUS DUMBLEDORE, CEO

They’re only truly great who are truly good.
–George Chapman (1559—1634)

There are two main heroic characters in the Harry Potter sto­ries: Harry, of course, but also Professor Albus Dumbledore, the great wizard and headmaster of Harry’s school. The Oxford English Dictionary defines a “hero” as a “man of super-human qualities, favored by the gods,” an “illustrious warrior,” and as a “man admired for achievements and noble qualities.” In different ways, Harry and his impressive headmaster are all these things. The princi­pal difference is that Harry is just starting to find his footing on the high road of heroism. When we first meet him, Professor Dumble­dore is already far along the path. He is in many ways a paradigmatic leader.

Dumbledore is like a light on a hill, the North Star, an ancient bea­con that keeps voyagers from crashing in the fog. He is a natural leader for all the forces of good in Harry’s world. He is the embodi­ment of nobility, goodness, prowess, wisdom, intelligence, and sound perspective. He is also a kind of old-fashioned surrogate father figure to Harry: close, yet in some ways distant; always concerned, despite sometimes appearing aloof; deeply involved, and yet still separate and a bit mysterious. He tells Harry whatever he believes the young man needs to know, when he’s sure he’s prepared to hear it, and offers him help at just those times when he needs it most. He is also a powerful protector and a vigilant guardian for all those around him.

To fill out the picture further, this masterful leader is also some­thing of a Renaissance man, having a diversity of personal interests and accomplishments outside the realm of his primary responsibili­ties. As in the case of the Management Guru and CEO trading cards that gained some humorous attention in the real world of business a few years ago, the top performers in the world of the wizards are also featured and briefly profiled on trading cards that the younger wiz-ards-in-training collect and swap. The biggest difference is that the featured wizards can move around in the photos reproduced on their cards and wave or wink at anyone looking at them. The card in honor of Dumbledore states that he is widely considered to be the greatest wizard of the modern age and mentions, among his many achieve­ments, his renowned defeat of a well-known dark wizard, as well as his important discoveries in the fields of chemistry and alchemy, along with his love of chamber music and bowling.

Dumbledore isn’t just a man of science, a top educator, and a mas­ter of his craft. We learn at the beginning of book six that his interests range as far as to include a love for knitting patterns. With his well-rounded life, personality, and character, the headmaster is simply what all adults ought to be. He also displays, in a great many ways, the essence of leadership excellence. In each of these respects, he is an ideal role model for the young Harry as he grows and develops.

Because the great Dumbledore is so important in all the books, and in Harry’s life, our journey will start with a close look at him. He is a one-man study of wisdom at work in the world. He embodies the virtues essential to leadership excellence and guides his own path for­ward with a profound philosophy of life. He sets the standard high for what all wizards–and the rest of us, too–should aspire to become. Because of this, we need to take a bit of time to see exactly what he is like.