Episode 407 - Michigan Model of Leadership with Gretchen Spreitzer, Monica Worline and Mike Barger
On this episode of Business and Society, Gretchen Spreitzer, Michigan Ross associate dean for executive and corporate relations, Monica Worline, lecturer in management and organizations, and Mike Barger, clinical assistant professor and area chair in business administration, discuss the Michigan Model of Leadership and its relevance to modern work, particularly in times of great change and volatility.
For business leaders, modern work often asks them to pull off a balancing act that can seem nearly impossible. Innovate while maintaining stability; drive for results while being empathic to your team. Researchers at the University of Michigan realized these aren't just frustrating contradictions—they are four essential 'gears' of management, which they named the Michigan Model of Leadership.
Based on 50 years of research and the Competing Values Framework—cited by the Financial Times as one of history's 40 most important business models—our guests discuss how this system helps leaders at all levels navigate the complexity of modern business.
Key Takeaways:
- Leadership as a "Flex" Between Competing Values
- Overcoming "Natural Hard-Wiring" and Blind Spots
- The Enduring Need for Human-Centric Leadership in the Age of AI
Want to hear more from Ross students, faculty, and alumni?
Check out more of our podcasts.
Business Beyond Usual: Full-time MBA students at Michigan Ross tackle burning issues on campus and the world beyond. In every episode, the student hosts discuss a topic of importance for current and prospective students through interviews with current students, alumni, faculty, and administrators.
Working for the Weekend: A deep dive into the daily life of part-time MBAs at Michigan Ross. Weekend and online MBA students discuss their experiences and advice for prospective and current students.
Down to Business: Join Dean Sharon Matusik as she interviews Michigan Ross alums in the C-Suite to learn how Ross set them on a path to organizational leadership.
