S04E12 Are Leaders Born or Made? Exploring the Great Man Theory
Take the leap - Management by Gunnar
Release Date: 02/26/2025
S05E11 Peter Drucker and the Purpose of Management
Take the leap - Management by Gunnar
In this lecture, we explore the ideas of Peter Drucker, often called the father of modern management. Drucker argued that the true purpose of business is to create a customer, and that innovation and responsibility are at the heart of management practice. We discuss his influence on concepts such as management by objectives, the rise of knowledge workers, and the ethical role of corporations in society. With examples from Intel, Apple, and Johnson & Johnson, the episode highlights how Drucker’s broad and pragmatic vision continues to shape how organizations think about strategy, purpose,...
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S05E10 Prahalad & Hamel and the Idea of Core Competencies
Take the leap - Management by Gunnar
In this lecture, we explore C. K. Prahalad and Gary Hamel’s influential concept of core competencies and their argument that firms succeed not by managing portfolios of products, but by cultivating the deep, collective capabilities that underpin innovation and growth. Using examples from Honda, Canon, Apple, and Google, we see how core competencies enable firms to enter new markets, create new products, and sustain advantage over time. The episode also considers the risks of neglecting or misidentifying competencies, the need for renewal in a fast-changing world, and the ethical implications...
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S05E09 Jay Barney and the Resource-Based View of Strategy
Take the leap - Management by Gunnar
In this lecture, we explore Jay Barney’s influential Resource-Based View of the firm and his argument that sustainable competitive advantage comes from unique internal resources and capabilities. We examine the VRIN framework — resources that are valuable, rare, inimitable, and non-substitutable — and see how companies from Apple to Toyota and Zara have leveraged such resources to maintain their edge. The episode also considers critiques of RBV, its extension into dynamic capabilities, and the ethical questions raised when resources such as data, culture, or natural assets are used for...
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S05E08 Edith Penrose and the Growth of the Firm
Take the leap - Management by Gunnar
In this lecture, we explore Edith Penrose’s groundbreaking work The Theory of the Growth of the Firm and her lasting impact on strategy. Penrose reframed the firm as a bundle of resources whose growth is shaped by managerial limits, learning, and the redeployment of capabilities. We look at how her insights anticipated the resource-based view of strategy and remain relevant for understanding both opportunities and constraints in corporate growth. Through examples from 3M to Amazon, the episode shows how Penrose’s ideas help us see growth not just as expansion, but as a dynamic process...
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S05E07 Igor Ansoff and the Logic of Growth Strategies
Take the leap - Management by Gunnar
In this lecture, we explore Igor Ansoff’s enduring contribution to strategy and his famous growth framework, the Ansoff Matrix. Ansoff showed that firms have four basic paths to growth: market penetration, market development, product development, and diversification. We examine how each path carries different risks and rewards, illustrated by cases from Coca-Cola and Disney to Apple and Amazon. The episode also considers critiques of the framework, its relevance in the digital age, and the ethical questions growth strategies raise. Ansoff’s work remains a cornerstone of strategic...
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S05E06 Alfred Chandler and the Principle of Structure Follows Strategy
Take the leap - Management by Gunnar
In this lecture, we turn to Alfred Chandler, the historian of business who transformed our understanding of how organizations grow and adapt. Through his detailed studies of companies like DuPont and General Motors, Chandler introduced the principle that “structure follows strategy.” We explore how firms developed the multidivisional form to support diversification, why alignment between strategic direction and organizational design is essential, and how failures like Kodak illustrate the dangers of misalignment. This episode shows how Chandler’s insights remain deeply relevant in the...
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S05E05 Henry Mintzberg and the Idea of Emergent Strategy
Take the leap - Management by Gunnar
In this lecture, we turn to Henry Mintzberg, one of the most influential and critical voices in the field of strategy. Mintzberg challenges the view of strategy as a purely deliberate, top-down process, arguing instead that strategies often emerge from patterns of action, adaptation, and learning. We explore his distinction between intended and realized strategy, the role of emergent opportunities, and his schools of strategy framework, which highlights the diversity of approaches organizations take. Through real-world examples such as Honda and Netflix, we see how Mintzberg’s ideas reveal...
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S05E04 Porter’s View on Corporate Strategy: Avoiding No Man’s Land
Take the leap - Management by Gunnar
In this lecture, we explore Michael Porter’s influential theory of corporate strategy and his warning about the dangers of being “stuck in the middle,” or in no man’s land. We examine his three generic strategies—cost leadership, differentiation, and focus—and why clarity of choice is essential for competitive advantage. With real-world examples of both success and failure, we show how Porter’s ideas remain deeply relevant in the age of digital transformation, where half-hearted strategies and unfocused digital initiatives risk leaving firms without direction. The episode also...
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S05E03 The Backside of Digital Transformation: Challenges, Ethics, and Responsibilities
Take the leap - Management by Gunnar
Our final lecture addresses the darker side of digital transformation. We explore issues of exclusion, privacy, misinformation, democratic integrity, and environmental sustainability. Ethics is placed at the heart of the discussion, highlighting the responsibilities of governments, companies, and individuals in shaping a fair and sustainable digital future. This episode reminds us that transformation is not only technological but also ethical, and that the future we create depends on the choices we make today.
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S05E02 Digital Transformation in Action: Impact on Industries and Society
Take the leap - Management by Gunnar
This lecture turns theory into practice. We examine how digital transformation is unfolding across industries such as energy, healthcare, and automotive, and how it is reshaping government services, jobs, and everyday life. From streaming platforms to artificial intelligence, we discuss how a data-driven world creates both opportunities and disruptions. The focus is on real-world consequences—how the digital revolution is changing the way we live, work, and organize society.
info_outlineAre Leaders Born or Made? Exploring the Great Man Theory
In this episode of Take the Leap Management, we dive into one of the earliest leadership theories—the Great Man Theory. This classic idea suggests that leaders are born, not made, and that certain individuals naturally possess the qualities required for leadership. But is leadership really an inherent trait, or can it be developed over time? We explore the origins of this theory, its influence on leadership thinking, and whether it still holds relevance in today’s world. Tune in as we challenge traditional assumptions and uncover what truly makes a great leader.