Inside the Mind of Prof. Henry Mintzberg: Management Insights That Still Matter Today

We are honored to have Prof. Henry Mintzberg shares key insights from his book, Mintzberg on Management, which he wrote in 1989, a work that continues to influence thinking in the field. Let’s extend a warm welcome to the legendary Prof. Henry Mintzberg - John Cleghorn Professor of Management Studies (Strategy & Organization), and Academic Director of the International Masters for Health Leadership (IMHL) and the International Masters Program for Managers (IMPM) at McGill University, Canada. It’s an honor to have him join us today for what promises to be an insightful and inspiring conversation. Born on September 2, 1939, Dr. Henry Mintzberg is celebrating his 85th birthday this year. In Mintzberg on Management, renowned scholar Henry Mintzberg expands on the foundational insights from his earlier work, The Nature of Managerial Work, to offer a broader and deeper exploration of management, organizations, and their role in society. Known for his unconventional, research-driven approach, Mintzberg draws from real-world observations inside companies to challenge traditional management theories. This volume captures his influential thinking on strategy, structure, power, and politics, emphasizing that effective strategy often emerges from action and interaction - not abstract planning. Highlighting the multifaceted role of managers, Mintzberg underscores the importance of balancing interpersonal, informational, and decision-making functions. This book is both a rich source of practical wisdom and a compelling call to rethink how we lead and organize. One of the most distinctive aspects of Prof. Mintzberg’s research and writing on business strategy is his emphasis on the concept of emergent strategy - strategies that arise informally at any level within an organization - as an alternative or complement to deliberate strategy, which is consciously formulated by top management. He has been a strong critic of the mainstream strategy literature that focuses predominantly on deliberate strategy, famously referring to "strategic planning" as an oxymoron. His insights have reshaped how organizations understand and approach the process of strategy formation. Dr. Mintzberg has authored over 21 books and numerous research papers, making significant contributions to his field. Dr. Mintzberg earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from McGill University, followed by a Master’s and PhD from the MIT Sloan School of Management. He has also held extensive visiting professorships at renowned institutions such as INSEAD and the London Business School. This podcast is brought to you by Global Management Consultancy. For more information, please visit www.globalmanagementconsultancy.com. Disclaimer: A. The background music used in this video is the property of its respective developer and is protected by Copyright. Although it is a free version, Business Talk, Global Management Consultancy and Deepak Bhatt do not hold the rights to this music. B. Prof. Henry Mintzberg generously shared profound insights from his book, “Mintzberg on Management,” during his appearance on the Business Talk podcast channel. The uploaded video contains copyrighted material; therefore, any modifications to graphics, music, or the presence of the author or host are strictly prohibited. All content is © 2025. All rights reserved.