Overview
What could a conversation between a CEO and a Benedictine monk teach us about business? In The Manager and the Monk, Jochen Zeitz and Anselm Grun talk about leading with values in the 21st century, exploring such questions as: Do core values stand a chance in the world of business? To what extent does a monk think like a manager? At first glance, Jochen Zeitz and Anselm Grun seem as different as two men can be. Zeitz is the CEO of Puma, a multinational luxury brands holding company, and was the youngest CEO to lead a company on the German stock exchange. Anselm Grun has lived in a Benedictine monastery since he was 19. He manages the staff and finances of the monastery\'s commercial activities, and has written dozens of religious and spiritual books. Their conversation began two years ago at an onstage discussion in Nuremberg. Aware of the differences in the missions and goals of their organizations and their lifestyles, they write: "We were initially surprised and intrigued to find that there is more that unites us than divides us. We both wish to protect the environment, improve society, and employ sustainable methods...As managers, we must learn to conduct business without harming people or the environment. As spiritual human beings, we look for ways to find ourselves and create more unity without losing sight of the need for efficient management." To inform their dialogue, Zeitz spent time in the monastery, where he was found peace and saw his world from a different point of view. Grun expanded his knowledge of companies such as PUMA and the electronically networked world of targets and numbers by visiting the group headquarters and attending conferences. Through chapters on subjects such as sustainability, the economy and prosperity, and success and responsibility, Zeitz and Grun show how to effectively manage with values in the 21st century.
