Still Surprised

1. World War II: A Crucible of Leadership and Personal Growth

"World War II was the first of my crucibles, as it was for millions of others, and aging, I suspect, is my last."

Transformative experience. World War II served as a crucible for Warren Bennis, thrusting him into leadership roles at a young age and shaping his understanding of human behavior under extreme circumstances. As a 19-year-old second lieutenant, Bennis learned valuable lessons about:

• The importance of taking care of one's team (e.g., preventing trench foot among his soldiers)
• Adapting to rapidly changing situations
• Making difficult decisions under pressure
• The power of camaraderie and shared experiences in building strong bonds

Post-war opportunities. The G.I. Bill, a result of the war, provided Bennis and millions of other veterans with unprecedented educational opportunities, democratizing higher education and reshaping American society.

2. The Power of Mentorship: Doug McGregor's Transformative Influence

"Doug McGregor had opened the door to this life of constant surprise and invited me in. He had given me the world, and I remain grateful to this day."

Lifelong impact. Doug McGregor, a pioneering management theorist, became Bennis's most influential mentor, profoundly shaping his career and worldview. McGregor's influence on Bennis included:

• Introducing him to key figures in social science and management
• Encouraging his pursuit of graduate studies at MIT
• Modeling a leadership style that balanced warmth with intellectual rigor
• Inspiring Bennis's lifelong interest in organizational behavior and leadership studies

Paying it forward. Bennis's experience with McGregor instilled in him a deep appreciation for mentorship, which he carried forward throughout his career, becoming a mentor to countless students and colleagues.

3. Antioch College: A Crucible of Ideas and Social Justice

"Antioch was the least boring place I have ever been. It was electric, always abuzz."

Intellectual awakening. Antioch College provided Bennis with a transformative educational experience, characterized by:

• A progressive, socially conscious environment
• Exposure to diverse ideas and passionate debates
• The innovative co-op program, blending academic study with real-world work experience
• Early encounters with civil rights issues and social activism

Finding his voice. At Antioch, Bennis discovered his talent for writing and storytelling, publishing his first short story and developing the skills that would later serve him well as an author and thought leader.

4. The MIT Years: Exploring Group Dynamics and Organizational Behavior

"MIT was an unusually tolerant place, where almost any eccentricity was forgiven, given sufficient genius."

Cutting-edge research. At MIT, Bennis immersed himself in the emerging field of group dynamics and organizational behavior, working alongside pioneers in the social sciences. Key aspects of this period included:

• Collaboration with influential figures like Kurt Lewin and Alex Bavelas
• Participation in groundbreaking studies on group behavior and leadership
• Development of T-groups (training groups) as a tool for studying and improving group dynamics
• Exposure to early work on artificial intelligence and human-computer interaction

Building a foundation. These experiences at MIT laid the groundwork for Bennis's future work on leadership and organizational change, providing him with a robust theoretical framework and research methodologies.

5. University Administration: Lessons from Buffalo and Cincinnati

"I knew that if I left school, I would lose everything, including the exciting new life I had begun a few months earlier, a life whose possibilities I was just beginning to imagine."

Challenges of leadership. Bennis's experiences as an administrator at the University at Buffalo and as president of the University of Cincinnati provided valuable lessons in:

• Navigating complex organizational politics
• Managing crises and public relations challenges
• Implementing large-scale institutional changes
• Balancing competing interests and stakeholders

Personal growth. These roles also taught Bennis important lessons about himself, including:

• The realization that he preferred teaching and writing to administration
• The importance of maintaining work-life balance
• The need for resilience and adaptability in leadership positions

6. The Houseboat Year: A Time of Personal Reinvention

"My year on the houseboat was a kind of emotional sabbatical, a time to shake off the old, try on the new, relax, recharge, and decide what to do next."

Self-discovery. Bennis's year living on a houseboat in Sausalito after leaving the University of Cincinnati presidency served as a crucial period of reflection and reinvention. During this time, he:

• Explored new ideas and experiences, from est seminars to emerging computer technologies
• Formed connections with counterculture figures and tech visionaries
• Rediscovered his passion for writing and teaching
• Began to crystallize his thoughts on leadership and organizational behavior

New direction. This period of exploration and reflection ultimately led Bennis to his role at the University of Southern California, where he would spend the most productive and satisfying years of his career.

7. USC and Beyond: Teaching Leadership and Studying Great Groups

"The USC years have been some of the most generative of my life."

Impactful work. At USC, Bennis found his true home, focusing on teaching, writing, and research. Key accomplishments during this period included:

• Co-creating and teaching a popular leadership course with USC President Steven Sample
• Writing influential books on leadership, including "On Becoming a Leader" and "Organizing Genius"
• Studying and documenting the characteristics of highly effective teams and organizations
• Mentoring countless students and emerging leaders

Lasting legacy. Bennis's work at USC cemented his reputation as a leading thinker on leadership and organizational behavior, influencing generations of leaders across various fields.

8. The Art of Leadership: Trust, Empathy, and Adaptive Capacity

"To have a seat at the table, you first have to be in the room."

Key leadership traits. Through his research and personal experience, Bennis identified several crucial attributes of effective leaders:

• The ability to inspire trust and build relationships
• Empathy and emotional intelligence
• Adaptive capacity and resilience
• Clear communication and vision-setting skills
• The courage to make difficult decisions

Practical wisdom. Bennis's insights on leadership were grounded in real-world experiences and extensive research, making them both accessible and actionable for aspiring leaders across various fields.

9. Aging as a Crucible: Wisdom, Challenges, and Resilience

"Old age ain't for sissies."

Final crucible. Bennis views aging as the last great crucible of his life, presenting both challenges and opportunities for growth and wisdom. Key aspects of this experience include:

• Increased emotional sensitivity and lability
• Confronting ageism and societal biases against older individuals
• The importance of maintaining physical and mental health
• The value of a supportive network of friends, family, and healthcare professionals

Continued growth. Despite the challenges of aging, Bennis emphasizes the potential for continued learning, adaptation, and contribution in later life, exemplifying the resilience and adaptive capacity he long studied in leaders.

Last updated: August 19, 2024