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With only 200 pages, generously a big type, with only two pages long in some chapters, the 19th and final books of management thinker Charles Handy are not his long one. But that may be his most important thing in some important respects.
Handy passed away in December at the age of 92. His death caused a widespread sense of loss among those inspired by his ideas, but he appreciated humanitarian and visionary insight into life, work and business, and his way of transforming the organization’s boring gifts into a brighter future.
He overslams himself in the penultimate paragraph of the view from 90 when he thinks “The commemoration notice is all my remaining, if there are some photos and memories.” There are all those books. Among them are the Age of Irrationality (1989), the Empty Raincoat (Age of the American Paradox, 1994), and The Hungry Spirit (1998). Along with his public speaking, they established his reputation as a leading figure in the management team, and established an account of his preferences – a social philosopher.
The book is inevitably distorted by philosophy, especially stos, and even spirituality. It includes “Letter to God.” He addresses his doubts and concludes that he “hopefully leaves this world alone, but if you can help me, I would be very grateful.”
More familiar are the jabs that are well known for the orthodoxy of modern business strite jackets and for the self-interest and self-development of many leaders, including Donald Trump.
“Run the organization not for yourself, but for the benefit of others,” he advises. Elsewhere, he suggests that employees “give the freedom to make positive contributions; otherwise they’ll make negative contributions because it’s easy.” He says good management and leadership is all about “getting others to find a gift and use it.”
Inspirational, it often hints at his family, especially his wife, Elizabeth. He has been his informal agent, public relations officer and conversation sparring partner for years, and died in front of him. Overall, he is happy to be able to live such a satisfying life, in line with Aristotle’s lesson, “Do your best by doing your best for others.” The top message he left here is that his readers should not waste the opportunity to do the same.
Handy wrote, or more accurately directed many of these simple reflections for Idler Magazine after a 2019 stroke took him out of his ability to use the keyboard easily. His publisher offers apologetic afterwords to fans in some of them “occasionally detecting a lack of final polish.” However, while some ideas are lighter than others, these ultimate breaths of wisdom cost little by little handy wit, charm, or storytelling skills.
Near the beginning of his path to Portfolio Life (another idea he pioneered), Handy’s first employer, oil company Shell International, dropped him into the role of management in the middle of the jungle of Borneo. He bought a pile of American business books for guidance, but wrote, “I was amazed at how badly written and boring they were.” Handy’s ultimate work reminds us that even if his army declined, the author remained innocent of both accusations.
Views from 90: Charles Handy Hutchison Heineman £16.99, Reflection on How to Live a Long and Satisfied Life with 208 Pages
Andrew Hill is a senior business writer at FT.
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