Who is the Father of Management: Drucker or Caesar?

Phil Holberton

Phil Holberton

Dedicated to helping you achieve your maximum potential

Reading Time: < 1 minutes

The late Peter Drucker was often referred to as “the man who invented management.”  While Drucker’s contribution to the canon of management is legendary, he certainly was not the first to comment on or grapple with the art and science of managing subordinates.

Jerry Toner, a professor of classical studies at Cambridge University has penned a brief article about how the Roman nobility managed their “employees”, otherwise known in those days as “slaves.”  Contrary to popular myth, the Romans knew their slaves were human beings and much like today’s managers employed, according to Professor Toner , “Incentives, rewards, bonuses and bonding experiences – Roman slave-owners were the first management theorists.” Thankfully,  slavery is no longer a legally sanctioned institution (though tragically  it still persists in the darker corners of the world)   but isn’t it interesting that so many employees today, who enjoy unparalleled freedom, often refer to themselves as “wage slaves”!?

Contact us Today
CATEGORIES: Leadership, Uncategorized


Set the Tone for a Successful Career

Don't let your title dictate your strategy. Rather, use these 7 steps for a smooth transition and to succeed in the most important period of your employment: your first 90 days.

As a new manager or leader, you have your work cut out for you but it's important to slow down and be strategic. Many careers get sidetracked during the first 90 to 180 days because the entry was too fast. Follow the advice in this free white paper to set the tone during your onboarding and to set yourself up for success.

Thank you for your interest! Check your inbox to confirm your subscription and receive your free white paper.