Management as a Liberal Art Research Institute

Welcome to the Management as a Liberal Art Podcast


An ongoing exploration of Peter Drucker's vision of a functioning society based on human dignity in life, work, and community. In these episodes, we will aim to expand the knowledge and practice of Drucker's concepts through ongoing dialog with leading thought leaders.

Season 01 - Episode 01

Introduction to MLA


Wednesday, Nov 17th, 2021 | 22:49

This inaugural episode introduces the idea of Management as a Liberal Art. We discuss the origins and history of Peter Drucker's theory of a Functioning Society of Institutions, and how MLA came about from that theory. The episode provides a brief example of MLA using one of Drucker's writings from the 1950s. Finally, this episode previews topics for future episodes, and gives listeners some ideas for how they might begin to think about applying MLA to their own work or organizations.

Season 01 - Episode 02

Freedom: What does that mean?


Thursday, Jan 20th, 2022 | 37:27

This episode explores the concept of freedom and how Americans have defined it in different ways. How do people's different interpretations present problems for organizations and leaders? We discuss Peter Drucker's definition of freedom and how that definition might be helpful for navigating contemporary discussions within organizations and society.

Season 01 - Episode 03

The Great Resignation and MLA


Tuesday, Mar 1st, 2022 | 27:43

This episode explores the current shift in the job market known as the Great Resignation. We discuss how MLA can help us understand what is happening with this restructuring, and evaluate what are short-term and long-term trends. How does this event reflect Drucker's idea of the balance between the needs of the individual and the organization? What is happening with "knowledge work" and its transportability? How can we work effectively in teams in our new remote world? This episode is devoted to putting MLA in action with respect to human resources and how we work in this new post-pandemic environment.

Season 01 - Episode 04

Interview with Bruce Rosenstein


Thursday, Mar 17th | 42:29

Interview with Bruce Rosenstein, Managing Editor of Leader to Leader, a publication of the Frances Hesselbein Leadership Forum and author of Create Your Future the Peter Drucker Way (2013). Bruce shares his knowledge of MLA and why it is so crucial for today's leaders. We also discuss lessons leaders have learned from the pandemic, and some of the top concerns facing leaders now.

Season 01 - Episode 05

Interview with Francisco Suarez


Friday, Apr 1st | 38:35

Interview with Francisco Suarez, CEO of AdeS for Latin America. Francisco discusses his background and his views of how MLA can be applied in large companies. He also reflects on his work with the World Environment Center and how sustainability relates to MLA.

Season 01 - Episode 06

Interview with Rick Wartzman


Friday, Apr 15th | 41:27

Interview with Rick Wartzman, Head of the KH Moon Center for a Functioning Society at the Drucker Institute, Claremont Graduate University. Rick talks about his background and writing and how it relates to MLA. He also reflects on the future direction of work and how the application of MLA can make for a better world.

Season 01 - Episode 07

Interview with Gene Coughlin


Sunday, May 1st | 40:24

Interview with Gene Coughlin, Founder/CEO at the Resilience-Building Leader Program (RBLP). Gene talks about his background and his work with RBLP and how it relates to MLA. He also speaks on how RBLP partners with colleges, universities, leadership coaches, training companies, and career schools to build a worldwide community of practice committed to the idea of building resilient teams.

Season 01 - Episode 08

Leadership Lessons From Horses


Thursday, May 19th | 38:08

What leadership lessons can we learn from horses? There are surprising parallels between Drucker's concepts of MLA and the horse world.

Season 01 - Episode 09

Interview with William Cohen


Wednesday, Jun 1st | 44:30

Interview with Dr. William Cohen. In this episode, Dr. Cohen speaks about MLA and in particular the idea of Applied MLA (AMLA) and how AMLA can be used as a framework for leaders in all lines of work.

Season 01 - Episode 10

The Arts and Leadership


Friday, Jun 17th | 28:33

A discussion of the leadership qualities provided by training in or exposure to the visual and performing arts. The link between the arts and leadership is a clear illustration of Management as a Liberal Art in action.

Season 01 - Episode 11

Interview with Byron Ramirez


Tuesday, Aug 16th | 46:27

An interview with Byron Ramirez, Researcher with Management as a Liberal Art Research Institute. Byron discusses his piece on managing for results while involving your people. How can organizations cope with rapid change in today's environment and retain, lead, and inspire people to perform?

Season 01 - Episode 12

Interview with Dr. Bradley Gilbert


Monday, Sep 5th | 44:36

A discussion with Dr. Bradley Gilbert, former Director of the California Department of Health Care Services who helped lead the state through its initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Gilbert also headed the Inland Empire Health Plan, one of the top ten largest Medicaid Managed Care plans in the nation. We discuss challenges of making decisions with limited to no data or information, creating a successful team culture amid organizational change and growth, and ideas for managing public health and other large-scale social problems.

Season 01 - Episode 13

Interview with Mike Cortrite Part I


Sunday, Sep 25th | 31:19

Mike Cortrite served 30 years on the Santa Monica Police force, managing the field training program and developing training in ethics and cultural diversity. Mike shares his thoughts on why the response to the Uvalde school shooting was so ineffective.

Season 01 - Episode 15

The MLA Research Institute Discusses the Dichotomy of Management and Leadership


Wednesday, Oct 12th | 22:45

Join the members of the MLA Research Institute as they discuss the dichotomy of management and leadership.

Season 01 - Episode 16

Do Words Matter?


Monday, Jan 23rd | 22:26

A discussion of Peter Drucker's thoughts on Communication. What does effective communication look like? How can Drucker's ideas help us be more effective communicators in the 21st century?

Season 01 - Episode 17

New Concerns of Knowledge Workers


Monday, Feb 13th | 22:00

A discussion of the recently averted 2022 railroad workers' strike in the context of the 1877 Great Railroad Strike. What do both events have in common? How is the more recent threatened labor action different from the historical event? What do these events tell us about the concerns of knowledge workers today?

Season 01 - Episode 18

MLA:  Defining Management as a Liberal Art


Wednesday, Mar 1st | 31:06

A discussion of the definition of MLA.  The members of the MLA Research Institute will argue that successful and durable organizations support self-development and moral growth in their people. An organization is the means through which an individual, as a member of the community, finds both contribution and achievement. The philosophy of ‘management as a liberal art’ (MLA) suggests that managers must seek knowledge and nurture an organizational environment where its members find meaning and opportunities to learn and contribute.

Season 01 - Episode 19

The ESOP Model and Drucker's Management as a Liberal Art:  An Interview with Dr. James Dorsett


Wednesday, June 7th | 30:52

James Dorsett discusses his research on Employee Stock Ownership plans and how they model Drucker's principles. Dr. Dorsett shares his own personal experience with participating in an ESOP and how such plans can contribute to productivity and performance as well as employee satisfaction.

Season 01 - Episode 20

What's New about Quiet Quitting (and What's Not): An Interview with Dr. Rick Johnson


Tuesday, July 3rd | 27:34

Rick Johnson discusses his article on "Quiet Quitting," noting that while the 2022 phenomenon was treated as a fad, it was, in fact, not particularly new. Dr. Johnson looks at "quiet quitting" from the perspective of new economic theory, research on "good" and "bad" bosses, and Gallup's reports on the "State of the American Workplace" to show how leaders can solve the underlying sources of the phenomenon.

Season 01 - Episode 21

Collaboration in the Workplace


Tuesday, September 12th | 12:18

This podcast includes a discussion of how organizations can maximize the possibilities for effective collaboration and create teams that work well together. It includes a consideration of collaborative use of AI technology, and the importance of respectful human relations.

Season 02 - Episode 1

Discussion with Immigration Attorney Kim Alabasi


Sunday, April 13th | 41:06

Kim Alabasi  brings valuable experience as a licensed independent social worker and teacher in Mexico to her immigration law practice. She has practiced in the area of Immigration since 2004.  In this episode, she discusses current immigration issues and its application to a functioning society.

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