We are deeply saddened by the passing of Clayton Christensen.
He was a towering figure – intellectually, morally and physically. We had the enormous privilege to have him as a supporter, mentor and friend of the Drucker Forum. As Steve Blank puts it, we all stood on Clay’s shoulders. Characteristically, Clay understood himself to be standing on others' shoulders, including Peter Drucker's: see the HBR interview conducted by Julia Kirby in advance of the 2014 Drucker Forum.

In his tribute on Forbes, Steve Denning summarizes a key message Clay expressed to the Drucker Forum. His advice to management thinkers was to work harder at finding a common language that would allow their disparate ideas to contribute to overall progress in management theory-building. Among the many other publications honoring Clay is the leading French daily business paper Les Echos, as evidence of how his ideas on innovation resonated in countries around the globe.

Clay spoke at the Forum in both 2014 and 2016, and had planned to be back in 2018. Sadly, as his health declined that became impossible. You will find videos of his memorable presentations and discussions below. These are historic documents, yet hold absolute relevance for today and for future Drucker Forums. At the 2020 Forum, we will continue the celebration of his life by adding our own recognition of the immense value he brought to management thought and practice.

Our thoughts of condolence go most deeply to his wife, Christine, and his children.

Richard Straub, Founder & President
Angelica Kohlmann, Chair of the International Advisory Board

Global Peter Drucker Forum