Guide to Management Theory of Mary Parker Follett

'Prophet of Management' Mary Parker Follett's theories presage a bright future for your business
By Jeanne Dininni

Mary Parker Follett, writer, social worker, political theorist and organizational consultant, has been called "the woman who invented management." Her early influence on modern management theory has, in fact, been so pervasive that management theorist Warren Bennis has been quoted as saying of her, "Just about everything written today about leadership and organizations comes from Mary Parker Follett's writings and lectures."

Follett never managed a for-profit enterprise herself, yet her keen insight into the dynamics of organizations and groups gave her theories widespread appeal. She advocated a "pull" rather than "push" approach to employee motivation, differentiated between "power over" and "power with," and postulated insightful ideas on negotiation, conflict resolution and power sharing which helped shape modern management theory. The Mary Parker Follett Theory of Management is marked by such principles as the following:

1. Conflict resolution through Integration (i.e., identifying and meeting each party's underlying and often compatible need, as opposed to attempting to meet the frequently-incompatible expressed desire of each) often results in a win-win situation.

2. In Mary Parker Follett leadership theory, genuine power is not "coercive" ("power over") but "coactive" ("power with").

3. True leaders, according to Follett's theory, "create group power, rather than expressing personal power."

Action Steps

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Understand the concepts of Mary Parker Follett management theory Numerous websites provide valuable information about Mary Parker Follett theory. In addition to summaries of Follett's principles, you'll find various videos and instructional materials that can help you develop the background knowledge and practical expertise to put Follett's management theories to work for your company.

I recommend: CADRE offers a unique and informative video on the Mary Parker Follett theory of conflict resolution. The 28-minute presentation, entitled "Dynamic Conflict Management: The Wisdom of Mary Parker Follett," was given before a group of special education instructors by Albie Davis. Davis, who delivers her entire speech via an assumed Mary Parker Follett persona, effectively communicates the essence of Follett's conflict resolution theory to her audience. YouTube presents a second, much shorter video, entitled "Bonner's Lemon Law," which (though it doesn't state the fact) is based on Mary Parker Follett's orange story illustrating the difference between the concepts of distributive and integrative negotiation.

Try a consultant to help you put Mary Parker Follett theory into practice Consultants with knowledge and experience in the management theory of Mary Parker Follett can guide you in maximizing the benefit of his principles in your own company's unique environment.

I recommend: Karl Knapp provides consulting services based in part on his insight into the management theory of Mary Parker Follett. Morgan Management Consulting also offers consultation services, along with its Leadership By Objectives program, which include Mary Parker Follett management theory as part of their philosophical basis.

Access online tools that help you practice Follett's theory more effectively Widely available online tools and resources can help you more easily implement Mary Parker Follett principles. PowerPoint presentations, surveys and other products and information on Mary Parker Follett management theory let you choose the resources most valuable to your business.

I recommend: KarlKnapp.com offers a PowerPoint presentation which provides background information on Follett and explains her theories. DataProSurveys.com provides various assessment tools that can help you get the feedback you need to apply Mary Parker Follett's theories to your company strategy.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

Consider the many benefits of putting Follett's management theory to work for your business. If you decide to use it, why not go all out and practice it in all the areas it can effectively address: your own leadership of the company, your managers' leadership development and your employees' empowerment.