Read an extended exchange on Requisite Organization

Almost a decade ago now, readers got into a discussion within the comments about Elliott Jaques’s Requisite Organization and management. Since the commenters included the illustrious Glenn Mehltretter of PeopleFit USA; my one-time writing partner, “APFG”, now an executive himself; and my long-time friends, “J” and “JmmJ” (then a plant manager and IT specialist, respectively; it’s not the usual comment flame war but a fascinating conversation.

The exchange between namewithheld and gmehl (Glenn Mehltretter) is especially interesting. Dr Mehltretter is a name well-known to readers here: he was even then one of the top consultants in Requisite Organization applications in business and non-profits, and his answers to namewithheld’s questions are thoughtful and thorough.

I always say that the most interesting stuff is never found in my writing but in the comments. My goal back then was to spark conversations about Elliott Jaques’s work.

One caveat: this was 10 years ago and I know that my own thinking has changed. I suspect that the others would say likewise. I still recommend Executive Leadership by Elliott Jaques and Stephen Clement for people wanting to know more about Requisite Organization, although I’d probably suggest the more readily available It’s All About Work. Organizing Your Company To Get Work Done, which is Clement’s expanded and updated take on what he wrote in EL.

Highly recommended. Go read it.

Image credit: “Portrait of Edwin A. Finckel and Boyd Raeburn, Edwin A. Finckel’s home, Greenwich Village, New York, N.Y.“, ca. July 1946, by William P. Gottlieb. From the William P. Gottlieb Collection (Library of Congress).

About the Author

Forrest Christian

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E. Forrest Christian is a consultant, coach, author, trainer and speaker at The Manasclerk Company who helps individuals and companies find insight and solutions to what seem like insolvable problems. Cited for his "unique ability and insight" by his clients, Forrest has worked with people from almost every background, from artists to programmers to executives to global consultants, both as individuals and as leaders of organizations at least as diverse. [contact]