Henry Ford was an American industrialist, inventor, and founder of the Ford Motor Company. He is most famous for his pioneering work in developing and popularizing the assembly line method of mass production, which revolutionized the manufacturing process and made automobiles affordable and accessible to the general public. His innovative approach to manufacturing and business practices greatly influenced the modern industrial era and transformed the automobile industry, making it one of the most important industries in the world. Ford's most notable achievement was the development and production of the Model T, introduced in 1908. The Model T became immensely popular and is often regarded as the first automobile that was truly mass-produced.

What each of us can learn from Henry Ford’s different way of leading is that there are many possible ways of leading and achieving an organization's goals. Sometimes it may be the best option to change the status quo of how to lead in a specific industry — and this kind of innovation can be a source of strong competitive advantage. Henry Ford also gives us examples of the meaning of leadership, and how leadership can influence organizational performance.

Based upon your reading, do you think Henry Ford was a leader or a manager? Why?

1. How did his leadership influence the organizational performance of the Ford Motor Company?
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3. Assume you have been hired as a new leader in the higher education industry, specifically at KU. What is one way you will have the courage to lead differently to change the status quo, which will create a strong source of competitive advantage?