Daily Image
12-07-2009
Harry for Ever
| Submitter: | Jan Noordam |
| Description: | NB: This same subject has already been treated officially by the AJDI of 09/07/2009. However, we feel that an occasion of this magnitude may well be illuminated from more than one angle. Therefore, we hereby offer a view "from the floor". It has the added advantage of a picture of our speaker. Last month was the second part of our celebration of 60 years of SRZM/NFRA/ASTRON. For 60 minutes, Prof Harry van der Laan riveted a spell-bound audience with reminiscences of his 20 years (1967-1987) at the helm of our Foundation, or rather of Dutch astronomy. During the ensuing drinkies, some of the younger employees remarked that they were impressed (and strangely motivated) by the rich history, and regretted that this plays such a small part in our present-day activities. (The short-term answer is of course to ask one of the greybeards that still throng the corridors, who will be happy to oblige if you have a spare afternoon. But do not wait too long....) At the end of his talk, Harry regaled us with the difference between management and Leadership. The image shows the pictogram which which he illustrated this. Leadership is not about having Power at the top of the pyramid (left), but much more about the crushing weight of Responsibility (middle). Thus, the successful Leader (right) makes sure that the organization runs smoothly on its metaphorical wheels, while he concentrates on its Direction and Speed. . |
| Copyright: | Harm-Jan Stiepel |
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