Pride: a strategic asset

Abstract

Every great company is distinguished by special attitudes of its employees. For example, Microsoft, Southwest Airlines, Marriott and other leaders elicit superior commitment from their people, and use it to sustain innovation and overall excellence. Such companies have found that pride is more powerful than money. It is what motivates people to form emotional attachments. Intrinsic pride – the kind that comes from the emotional high of having done a job well – is the most lasting and powerful motivating force, especially at the front‐line of an organization. There are management approaches and disciplines that can create this kind of pride, and can be used to drive organizations to higher levels of performance. This article, by management thought leader Jon Katzenbach, formerly of McKinsey & Co. and now founder and senior partner of Katzenbach Partners LLC, provides a blueprint for how to make pride a strategic asset.

Citation

Katzenbach, J. (2003), "Pride: a strategic asset", Strategy & Leadership, Vol. 31 No. 5, pp. 34-38. https://doi.org/10.1108/10878570310492041