I know I am putting myself in the front seat of the 'old school' bus by putting out for discussion that old management theory, that I admittedly have used and with much success, of Human Resources and corporate managers hiring B students over A students. Now, to clarify, this doesn't just mean recent graduates but in general a 'type' of employee, applicant, etc. Fifteen to 20 years ago, back when I took a horse and buggy to work, when looking at a potential employees' schooling we did ask what grade point they had while in college. The correct answer at that time was a solid B average, as long as it came with a lot of social activities, working at a job while attending college, volunteer work and of course team sports. This was preferred over the straight A student who just attended classes. The theory being that that individual was not just book smart but had developed skills working with others on teams, knowing what it really meant to be an employee and work under someone else, knowing how to communicate with others as well as knowing some real life skills vs just knowing how to study for tests. Thus came about the 'B's Manage A's idea.
I have a friend who works for Google. I have also applied for positions at Google with nary a call or e-mail back. I graduated from the University of Iowa,was active in school events, worked 30 + hours a week in order to pay for all my living expenses as well as all my college expenses, and graduated in 4 years, but did not have a 4. Should I have warranted a look? Maybe....and maybe not. When speaking to those in the know at Google they won't even look at your online application unless you graduate from an Ivy league school with a 4+ point grade point average. Now of course this is a generalization as I am sure a few have snuck in the back door. (They are still hiding though) Now Google is not the end all be all and I am very happy in my current position so this is not a matter of sour grapes but it is interesting to note.
Should individuals with limited real life experiences be put in positions where they are leading others? Does someone who trudges from his/her class to the library and back again have the skills to manage a group or motivate others to follow through and get things done when teamwork and partnerships are essential to a goal or department? No corporation can act in silos, even when the corporation has silo'ed type programs.
In a direct quote from http://www.economist.com/blogs/newsbook/2011/01/googles_management_shuffle
"As Google has grown from a start-up into a global powerhouse with 24,000 employees, some of its original entrepreneurial spirit has been crushed by a burgeoning bureaucracy. Several prominent Xooglers, as former employees of the company are known, have complained that it has become difficult to get things done at the firm. And rivals such as Twitter and Facebook have exploited this growing sense of frustration by pinching talented executives from Google’s ranks."
Other online articles include:
http://arnoldit.com/wordpress/2010/03/24/management-the-google-weakness/
http://www.management-issues.com/2010/11/2/opinion/google-and-the-new-management-challenge.asp
To note as well: Google is an amazing company that has made a worldwide impact on how we all do business not just the computer and search industry.
Maybe there is a reason that the 'B's Manage A's adage is old school.
Does Google have it right or just right for now?
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