Embrace conflict as a tool for organizational growth and improved executive alignment.
Conflict Not Always Negative
By Wayne Pollard, Daily Record 01/22/04 - Posted from the Daily Record newsroom
John Bell / Daily Record
Howard M. Guttman, of Guttman Development Strategies, Roxbury, is the author of When Goliaths Clash: Managing Executive Conflict to Build a More Dynamic Organization.
The Job
Howard M. Guttman is the principal of Guttman Development Strategies, a management consulting firm specializing in executive management and organizational development. Based in the Ledgewood section of Roxbury, the firm provides coaching, management training, and strategic planning.
Founded 14 years ago, the firm has coached thousands of executives and helped senior executive teams become "high-performing teams." Guttman employs 24 staff members. "I didn't expect to get as big as I did," he remarks.
Author: When Goliaths Clash: Managing Executive Conflict to Build a More Dynamic Organization (Amacom, 2003).
On Conflict
People mistakenly believe that all conflict is bad, Guttman asserts.
"You can't possibly have an organization that is striving for greatness and not have conflict. You're always going to have conflict."
"In large global organizations … unless you're adept at conflict management, you're going to fail."
Why Goliaths Clash:"Conflict is a symptom." For most senior executives in corporate America, conflict stems from "confusion around accountability and roles."
Personal Background
Born:Â Jan. 17, 1951, in Newark. Attended high school in Union.
Parents:Â Father is deceased. His mother, 76, is "very active in community work." She taught Guttman to "be a survivor" and to persevere. He is the oldest of three children, with a sister and a brother.
Education:
Undergraduate degree in history from Fairleigh Dickinson University. "I loved history. … You learn great lessons to apply to the future."
Master's degree from the Graduate School of Applied Social Sciences at Case Western Reserve University.
Career:
Corporate director of human resources in Johnson & Johnson's consumer sector.
On leaving J&J: "People told me, 'You're crazy to leave Johnson & Johnson.'"
Organization development consultant at ADP.
First job out of college: Set up educational programs on New Jersey history for teachers and students at the New Jersey Historical Society in Newark.
Family and Lifestyle
Family: Married to Jacqueline for 21 years. She was originally his friend’s blind date. "I basically sold my friend on backing off and letting me go for her." Jacqueline is now the firm’s chief operating officer. They have three children: Michelle, Chuck, and Melissa.
Home:Â Lives on a mountaintop in Ledgewood, appreciating the "privacy and serenity." Also owns a home on Long Beach Island, splitting time between the two residences.
Hobbies:Â Weightlifting, kayaking, biking, and collecting/watching old classic movies.
Sports:Â Ran track and wrestled in high school and earned a black belt in karate in college.
Favorites
Wheels:Â Black Porsche Carrera convertible and a '64 white Mustang convertible ("very rare").
Food:Â Seafood.
Restaurant:Â La Strada in Randolph.
Movie:Â Favorite classic movie is Casablanca.
Books:Â Primarily reads sports biographies and history, particularly books on World War II. Also enjoys horror and science fiction authors like Dean Koontz and Stephen King.
Insights and Advice
Keys to Success:
"Having an unwavering intention and commitment to a goal."
"Staying focused."
Advice to Businesses:
"Beyond just saying it, take the time to develop your people to be excellent conflict managers so that you rapidly force closure and … still have people feel whole in the organization."
Surprising Fact:
Although an extrovert, Guttman values alone time. "There are times when I like to just chill out. I like to hang by myself a lot."
Proudest Moments
"Through thick and thin, the entire family sticks together, and I'm proud of that. … We always stay together."
The release of his book.
The first time his firm earned more than $1 million.