Synopses & Reviews
What could the conversation between an internationally-prominent CEO and a career Benedictine monk possibly teach us about business? In
The Manager and the Monk, Jochen Zeitz and Anselm Grün engage in a lively dialogue about leading with values in the fast-changing 21st-century world, 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? How much consideration and empathy can a manager afford to show? What do money and success mean to us?
At first glance, Jochen Zeitz and Anselm Grün seem as different as two men can be. Zeitz is the CEO of a major corporation (Puma), a leader at multinational luxury brands holding company PPR, and was the youngest CEO in history to lead a company on the German stock exchange. He speaks 6 languages and has lived in the US, Germany, and Kenya. Anselm Grün, meanwhile, has lived in a Benedictine monastery since he was 19. He manages the staff and finances of the monastery's commercial activities, which include beekeeping, furniture-making, and baking. He is also an author of dozens of religious and spiritual books. Their conversation began two years ago at an onstage discussion in front of an audience in Nuremberg. Aware that the missions and goals of their organizations and their lifestyles are worlds apart, 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: both within our ‘companies' and beyond their borders. 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 (the Manager) spent some time in the monastery, where he was able to find peace and see his world from a different point of view. In return, Grün (the Monk) expanded his knowledge of ‘virtual' companies such as PUMA and the fast-paced, electronically networked world of targets and numbers by visiting the group headquarters and attending conferences.
Through a series of topical chapters on subjects such as sustainability, the economy, and prosperity, culture, values, success and responsibility, The Manager and the Monk engage in a dialogue that shows how to effectively manage with values in the 21st century.
Review
“[
The Manager and the Monk] reassures and awakens readers to life and business choices that celebrate generosity, honesty, and authenticity.”
—SUCCESS Magazine
“The Manager and The Monk is a book for leaders who aspire to evolve their way of thinking and acting by keeping an open mind, to make for a better world.”
—Sir Richard Branson, founder, Virgin Group“The Manager and the Monk is a great example of the new partnership between matter and Spirit, business and spirituality, effectiveness and meaning. This is where we must go!”
—Richard Rohr, O.F.M., Center for Action and Contemplation and author, Falling Upward and Immortal Diamond
“The Manager and the Monk, scaling very different pyramids of success, meet at a single summit in the same world—a world of competition, but also of heightened awareness, hope, and wonder.”
—John Elkington, cofounder, SustainAbility and Volans; coauthor,The Power of Unreasonable People
“The Manager and the Monk is a vibrant, beautifully articulated, and stunningly fresh narrative that takes you on a unique literary adventure that can't but help to leave you inspired. Not only does it allow for an intimate insight into the world of two extraordinary characters, but it also masterfully articulates the processes we will all require, if we are to learn to sculpt a more positive outcome towards our collective future.”
—David de Rothschild, founder, Sculpt the Future Foundation, and author,The Live Earth Global Warming Survival Handbook and Plastiki
Synopsis
An exploration of spirituality, values, and sustainability in businessWhen Jochen Zeitz and Anselm Grün first met onstage as "the manager and the monk," Zeitz was CEO and Chairman of Puma, and Father Grün was a monk serving as cellarer, the business manager of his Benedictine abbey. They came together to discuss their shared goal: what it means to lead and manage responsibly and sustainably in today's shifting world.
Available for the first time in English, The Manager and the Monk features these topical essays and dialogues, drawing on sources as diverse as the Bible, contemporary religious thought, psychological theory, and the innovative "environmental profit & loss account" Zeitz developed for Puma. Together, Zeitz and Gr??n explore their intersecting definitions of prosperity, values, sustainability, among a host of other topics.
- Jochen Zeitz was CEO of Puma for 18 years and is founder, with Sir Richard Branson, of the B Team, a global initiative aimed at transforming the future of business
- Anselm Grün is cellarer (business manager) of Münsterschwarzach Abbey in Germany, overseeing a staff of 300 in crafts such as beekeeping and brewing; and an internationally best-selling author of more than 300 books available in 35 languages
- Translated from an award-winning German book, Gott, Geld, und Gewissen, which has been translated into 11 languages
The Manager and the Monk is a thoughtful, impassioned plea for how to manage responsibly in the modern world.
Synopsis
When Jochen Zeitz and Anselm Grn first met onstage in 2008 as "the manager and the monk," Zeitz was CEO and chairman of PUMA and Father Grn was a monk serving as cellarer, the business manager of his Benedictine abbey. They came together to discuss their shared goal: what it means to lead and manage responsibly and sustainably in today's shifting world.
Available for the first time in English, The Manager and the Monk features topical essays and dialogues inspired by their ongoing series of conversations.
Touching on the most pressing challenges facing any business today, both Zeitz and Grn draw deeply on the stories and lessons of their managerial and spiritual backgrounds. Zeitz served as the youngest CEO of a publicly-listed company in German history, transforming PUMA from an ailing brand into a multibillion-dollar powerhouse and developing PUMA's trailblazing "Environmental Profit and Loss Account," an award-winning corporate sustainability initiative. As the business manager of the Mnsterschwarzach Abbey in Germany, Grn was responsible for the economic administration of the abbey, its 300 employees, and 20 businesses.
What truly unites them, however, is a keen interest in exploring the spiritual and ethical dimensions of their work. Both manager and monk call on sources as diverse as the Bible, contemporary religious thought, and psychological theory to explore provocative questions on a variety of topics, such as:
- When we speak of corporate "culture" what does that have to do with "culture" in society at large?
- Can a business simultaneously embrace spiritual values while delivering shareholder value?
- Are there lessons in the way we should manage natural resources for how we should manage people?
Rich with insights on spirituality, values, and sustainability in business, The Manager and the Monk is a thoughtful exploration and impassioned plea for how to manage responsibly in the modern world.
Synopsis
The international, award-winning book already translated into 15 languages—now available in English"The Manager and The Monk isa book for leaders who aspire to evolve their way of thinking and acting by keeping an open mind, to make for a better world."
—Sir Richard Branson, founder, Virgin Group
"The Manager and the Monk is a great example of the new partnership between matter and Spirit, business and spirituality, effectiveness and meaning. This is where we must go!"
—Richard Rohr, O.F.M., Center for Action and Contemplation and author, Falling Upward and Immortal Diamond
"The Manager and the Monk, scaling very different pyramids of success, meet at a single summit in the same world—a world of competition, but also of heightened awareness, hope, and wonder."
—John Elkington, cofounder, SustainAbility and Volans; coauthor,The Power of Unreasonable People
"The Manager and the Monk is a vibrant, beautifully articulated, and stunningly fresh narrative that takes you on a unique literary adventure that can't but help to leave you inspired. Not only does it allow for an intimate insight into the world of two extraordinary characters, but it also masterfully articulates the processes we will all require, if we are tolearn tosculpt a more positive outcome towards our collective future."
—David de Rothschild, founder, Sculpt the Future Foundation, and author,The Live Earth Global Warming Survival HandbookandPlastiki
About the Author
Jochen Zeitz is director of PPR and chairman of its board's sustainable development committee, after having been CEO of the Sport and Lifestyle division and chief sustainability officer of PPR since 2010. Prior to this, Zeitz served 18 years as chairman and CEO of PUMA. He founded the non-profit Zeitz Foundation of Intercultural Ecosphere Safety, and with Sir Richard Branson is founder and cochair of The B Team. He has been a member of the board of directors of Harley-Davidson since 2007 and is on the advisory board of TEEB (The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity).
For more information, please visit www.zeitzfoundation.org or follow Jochen on Twitter via @JochenZeitz.
Father Anselm Grün, OSB, Th.D, is the cellarer, or financial manager, of the Mnsterschwarzach Abbey, near Wrzburg, Germany. At age 19 he became a Benedictine monk at Mnsterschwarzach Abbey, learning the art of leading others based on the Rule of St. Benedict of Nursia. He also studied philosophy, theology, and business administration, and is an internationally best-selling author whose books are available in 35 languages.
Table of Contents
Preface ix
1 SUCCESS 1
2 PROSPERITY 19
3 CULTURE 31
4 VALUES 49
5 ACTING ETHICALLY 65
6 THE ENVIRONMENT 79
7 COMMERCE 95
8 SUSTAINABILITY 117
9 STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES 133
10 RESPONSIBILITY 147
11 AWARENESS 159
Notes 177
Acknowledgments 179
About the Authors 183
Index 187