Dave Ulrich is Rensis Likert Professor at Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan and Partner of the RBL Group.
He has written over 30 books on organizations, talent, leadership, and HR and won numerous awards for his works. He has been married for 44 years, with 3 kids and 10 grandkids.
Q: What would you like to see your team accomplish in 2019?
My personal agenda matches our organization agenda: to have innovative ideas with sustainable impact. We focus ever more on impact, hoping to help individuals and companies create and deliver value to themselves and others through our ideas.
Q: Who is your role model or hero?
My parents who taught me by example about service and gratitude. And, now, my wife, who teaches me about patience. And, increasingly, our 3 kids and 10 grandkids who teach me about enduring love.
Q: What is your favorite book?
The Bible for me personally, novels for escape, and in business, I generally read “authors” whose books represent the evolution of their ideas (eg., Ram Charan, Jeff Pfeffer, Ed Lawler, Lynda Gratton, Marshall Goldsmith, Gary Hamel, and SO many others).
Q: Do you use any specific method or system to run daily operations?
I have a daily “to-do” list on yellow sticky notes (how old fashion), and I enjoy crossing off the items done.
Q: Why did you choose your present industry at this time?
In many ways, “it” (the study of organizations and people) chose me… I have been enamored with the impact of organizations on our daily lives for many decades and continue to try to discover how to create companies that enable employees, customers, and investors to win.
Q: What is the best/worst moment you can remember in your career?
The “next” insight I (hope to) have. I find new ideas are often my “best” friends.
Q: Looking back – if you could advise a younger version of yourself to do something different – what would it be?
Enjoy the journey because there never really is a destination. This applies to personal relationships (e.g., friends, spouse, kids, grandkids) and work activities.
