Peter Drucker was an Austrian-American management consultant, educator, and author whose writings contributed to the philosophical and practical foundations of the modern business corporation. He was also a leader in the development of management education, invented the concept known as management by objectives and self-control, and has been described as “the founder of modern management”.
Drucker was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1909. He studied law at the University of Frankfurt, receiving his doctorate in 1931. After working as a journalist in Germany, he fled to England in 1933 when Adolf Hitler rose to power. He remained in England until 1937 when he moved to the United States to work as an adviser to British banks and as a foreign correspondent for several British newspapers; he became a U.S. citizen in 1943. He died on November 11, 2005, at his home in Claremont, California. He was 95.
Many challenges marked Drucker’s early career. He was forced to leave Germany in 1933 and spent several years in England before moving to the United States. He also had to start over in his career, as he had no experience in business. However, he overcame these challenges and built a successful career.
“The only way to predict the future is to create it.”
Peter Drucker
Drucker’s first major breakthrough came in 1946 when he published his first book, “Concept of the Corporation”. This book was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to establish Drucker as a leading authority on management. In the years that followed, Drucker continued to write and publish books, and he became one of the most influential thinkers on management.
Drucker’s key qualities that enabled his success were his intelligence, creativity, and ability to think outside the box. He was also a gifted communicator who could share his ideas with a wide audience.
Drucker made many significant contributions to the field of management. He is credited with coining the term “management by objectives” and developing the concept of self-control. He also wrote extensively about the importance of marketing and the information society. Drucker received numerous awards for his work, including the American Management Association’s Gold Medal Award and the American Marketing Association’s Gold Award.
Drucker was highly acclaimed in professional circles. He was a regular contributor to Harvard Business Review and a sought-after speaker at business conferences. He was also a member of the National Academy of Engineering.
Drucker’s long-term goal was to help managers become more effective. He believed that managers could become more effective by understanding the fundamental principles of management and applying those principles to their work.
Drucker’s leadership style was based on his belief that managers should be servants of the organization. He believed that managers should prioritise the organisation’s needs and work to empower their employees.
“The future of every organization will depend on its ability to learn.”
Drucker’s most impactful ideas and projects are his work on management by objectives and self-control. He also wrote extensively about the importance of marketing and the information society.
“The most important thing is to create value.”
Drucker collaborated with many other industry leaders, including Henry Ford, Alfred P. Sloan, and Warren Buffett. He also served as a consultant to many Fortune 500 companies.
Peter Drucker was a towering figure in the field of management. He made many significant contributions to the field and is considered one of the most influential thinkers on management.
Further reading:
- Wikipedia Contributors. “Peter Drucker.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 20 Feb. 2023, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Drucker
- “Peter F. Drucker | Biography, Management, Books, & Facts | Britannica.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 2023, www.britannica.com/biography/Peter-F-Drucker
- “Peter F. Drucker (1909-2005), (Peter Ferdinand) | the National Library of Israel.” Nli.org.il, 2023, www.nli.org.il/en/a-topic/987007260396605171