Adriano Olivetti
“The term ‘utopia’ is the easiest way to dismiss what one lacks the will, capacity, or courage to do. A dream seems like a dream until you start somewhere—only then does it become a purpose, something infinitely greater.”” Adriano Olivetti
Adriano Olivetti (1901–1960) is an emblematic figure in Italian entrepreneurship, known not only for transforming Olivetti into one of the most technologically advanced companies of the 20th century, but also for his humanistic and social vision of work. His legacy strongly echoes the principles of adaptive leadership, anticipating key themes such as the importance of an inclusive approach, the ability to respond to change, and the value of community.
“Who was Adriano Olivetti?
Adriano Olivetti, Son of Camillo Olivetti, founder of the historic typewriter company, Adriano Olivetti was a visionary. With a degree in chemical engineering, he brought a unique perspective to business management, combining technological innovation, culture, and social responsibility. Under his leadership, Olivetti not only became a global leader in the production of typewriters, calculators, and later computers, but also a model of integration between industrial development and workers’ well-being.
“A factory cannot look only at the profit index. It must distribute wealth, culture, services, and democracy. I envision the factory for the person, not the person for the factory, right? We must overcome the divisions between capital and labor, industry and agriculture, production and culture. Sometimes, when I work late, I see the lights of the workers doing the night shift, of the employees, of the engineers, and I feel like going to greet them with heartfelt gratitude.”
Adriano Olivetti and Adaptive Leadership
Adaptive leadership, a concept developed more recently, focuses on the ability to face complex challenges, promote change, and foster collective learning. Adriano Olivetti embodied many of these principles, anticipating them with extraordinary insight.
Centrality of the Person
“Work should be a great joy, and yet for many it remains a torment—a torment not to have it, or to do work that serves no purpose, that contributes to no noble goal.” —Adriano Olivetti
Olivetti firmly believed that the well-being of workers was essential to a company’s success. He invested in social, cultural, and educational infrastructure to improve the quality of life within his corporate community. This focus on the human dimension of work is a key element of adaptive leadership, which places people at the heart of change.
Crisis as Opportunity
“There is a crisis of civilization, a social crisis, a political crisis. The mechanism of society, broken in August 1914, has never worked since—and there is no going back. How can we contribute to building that better world that years of desolation, torment, disaster, destruction, and massacre are asking of the intellect and the heart of us all?” —Adriano Olivetti
Olivetti saw crisis not as an end, but as a starting point for change. He recognized that social, political, and civil crises are inevitable and bring loss, but emphasized that true potential lies in choosing to face them with courage and creativity. He invites us not to flee from problems, but to see them as opportunities to build a better world.
Mobilization, Community & Purpose
“I knew the terrible monotony and the burden of endlessly repeated gestures in front of a drill or a press, and I knew it was necessary to free people from this degrading slavery. Work needed to be given a sense of purpose.” —Adriano Olivetti
Adriano Olivetti embodied the adaptive leadership principle of mobilizing people to address systemic challenges. He engaged workers by giving them purpose and an active role, creating spaces for learning and innovation, and making change inclusive and participatory for the entire community.
Culture as Social Responsibility
“We brought our secret weapons to every part of the community: books, cultural courses, technical assistance in the field of agriculture. In the factory, concerts, exhibitions, and debates are held continuously. The library holds tens of thousands of books and magazines from all over the world. At Olivetti, intellectuals, writers, and artists work—some in leadership roles. Culture is highly valued here.” —Adriano Olivetti
Adriano Olivetti understood that culture is a fundamental lever for facing challenges and driving change. In this too, he anticipated adaptive leadership, which values human and collective potential, recognizing that knowledge and creativity are essential to navigate the complexities of change and to build a more resilient and inclusive society.
If Adriano Olivetti has inspired you and you want to help your company, association, or organization better navigate challenges and change, consider embarking on a journey with the Olivetti Leadership Institute.
To learn more about Adriano Olivetti, his legacy, and his relevance today, visit the website of the Adriano Olivetti Foundation.