Being close to HR and all things people driven, I have been intrigued by Lars Dalgaard. Lars is the CEO and founder of SuccessFactors, a leading HR (talent management) software company. For one, I have been exposed to his product and some of his executives. The product is rocking and the team has a contagious DNA.
Dalgaard is known to be quite bold if you will. One of the common threads you will hear about him is his grand vision and massive goals. He is driven with a passion to "go and make this a very different world to work in."His large appetite for success is fueled by his belief that no one should be unclear about how they stand in their company and should be treated immaculately well. He firmly believes that his product will do more than just create a better workplace for his customers. He states clearly that SuccessFactors "will improve worldwide productivity by 50%." Now, as Jim Collins would say - that is a BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal). Why not have one? You must.
In reading an article on him published in Workforce Management I came across the following founding principle of his when he started SuccessFactors in 2001:
"No Jerks! Our organization will consist only of people that absolutely love what we do, with a white hot passion. We will have utmost respect for the individual in a collaborative, egalitarian, and meritocratic environment - no blind copying, no politics, no parochialism, no silos, no games, no cynicism, no arrogance - just being good."
If you calculate your way through that principle - you see that he is going on the defense against many of the toxic inhibitions to an effective organization and apparently does not tolerate anything but the best. Check the links throughout this post for some brief notes on him. An interesting guy who is going after great things with a supreme belief in a better future.
Comments