Kolp and Rea in Leading with Integrity says that Thomas Aquinas believes that leaders are “teachers of virtue and caretakers of human needs” while aiming for “continuing improvement within themselves” and the people they serve “by cultivating and exhibiting high moral standards” (p. 152). I believe this is very true. I once had a boss who I considered, by Kolp and Rea’s standards, an average leader. He cared about his people and was very training focused, but he couldn’t get the results that his bosses wanted. So he was stuck in middle management position and had no prospects of moving beyond that. His motives and intentions were always good, but his results and consequences were lacking. My boss wanted his people to feel proud of their work and be at the top of their game. That required less “productive time” and more “training and learning time.”
Something I think Kolp and Rea failed to acknowledge was the fact that employees desire more educational training as a benefit. Whether it be direct payment for school, partial reimbursements, or confirmation that education will help them in their path within the organization, doing this will help the corporations attract a higher quality pool of talent. Acknowledging this adds value to the company and I believe would help in making the company a learning organization. To attract top talent corporations will have to be open to what the employees want. They have to have a more circular approach in their management style rather than a top down atmosphere. Top talent will not accept top down approach and they want to be heard and want opportunities to learn and grow.
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