Serge Godin, the founder and executive chairman of CGI Inc., is a titan of the Canadian business landscape. Starting from a basement in Quebec City in 1976, he built a global IT and business consulting powerhouse. His leadership is defined by a rigorous management philosophy, a deep-seated belief in employee ownership, and a powerful dream that has guided the company for decades.

On Vision and The CGI Dream

At the core of CGI's identity is "The CGI Dream," a testament to Godin's belief in the power of a shared vision.

  1. The power of a written dream: "A dream is a powerful thing. It can’t be something you just talk about. It has to be something that is written down so that people can possess it, see it, and feel it."
  2. The original dream: "To create an environment in which we enjoy working together and, as owners, contribute to building a company we can be proud of." This foundational principle has guided CGI since its inception.
  3. A dream of ownership: A core tenet of the dream was for employees, referred to as members, to be owners of the company.
  4. Living the dream daily: The dream isn't just a plaque on the wall; it's the filter through which all business decisions are made.
  5. A dream of shared success: "The dream I had was to build a company where people would be happy to work and could participate in the ownership of the company and share in its wealth."
  6. The dream as a unifier: In a global company built through numerous acquisitions, the dream provides a common purpose and cultural anchor.
  7. Dream, Believe, Dare, Do: This mantra encapsulates Godin's entrepreneurial philosophy.

On Management and Discipline

Godin is renowned for his highly disciplined approach to management, codified in what is known as the CGI Management Foundation.

  1. The importance of a management framework: "For a company to last 100 years, it must have a solid foundation."
  2. Management as a science: Godin believes that management is not just an art but a science that can be taught and replicated through a structured framework.
  3. The four pillars of management: The CGI Management Foundation emphasizes stakeholder satisfaction, continuous improvement, robust frameworks, and disciplined execution.
  4. Client proximity is key: "Our business model is based on a simple concept: proximity." CGI's model ensures that its teams are close to their clients, fostering deep understanding and partnership.
  5. The value of measurement: "You can't manage what you don't measure." CGI is famous for its rigorous measurement of everything from client satisfaction to employee morale.
  6. Balancing stakeholder interests: The CGI constitution explicitly outlines the company's commitment to balancing the interests of its three stakeholders: clients, members (employees), and shareholders.
  7. Documenting everything: Godin insisted on documenting processes and frameworks from the very beginning, creating a replicable model for growth and quality control.
  8. On strategic acquisitions: CGI has a well-defined and disciplined process for acquisitions, focusing on cultural fit and the potential for successful integration into its management framework.

On People and Ownership Culture

For Godin, the people—the "members"—are the heart of the company. The ownership culture is his most celebrated and defining legacy.

  1. Employees as "members": The term "member" is used deliberately to signify a sense of belonging and shared ownership, as opposed to "employee."
  2. Ownership empowers: "When you’re an owner, you have a different attitude. You care more about the client, you care more about the quality of the work."
  3. Sharing the wealth: Godin was committed to sharing ownership from the start. Today, approximately 85% of CGI's employees are owners.
  4. Attracting and retaining talent: The share ownership plan is a powerful tool for attracting top talent and ensuring long-term commitment.
  5. Democratizing ownership: The opportunity to become an owner is open to every member, from senior executives to new graduates.
  6. A culture of intrapreneurship: The ownership mindset fosters a culture where members feel empowered to act like entrepreneurs within the larger organization.
  7. Investing in people: "We have a saying at CGI: 'Take care of your members, and they will take care of your clients.'"
  8. The best ideas come from within: Godin believes in empowering members on the front lines, as they are closest to the clients and the technology.
  9. A company of builders: Godin often refers to the people of CGI as "builders," reflecting the entrepreneurial spirit of creating something of lasting value together.

On Entrepreneurship and Growth

From a two-person startup to a global giant, Godin's journey is a masterclass in entrepreneurship.

  1. Starting with nothing: "We started with a phone, a desk, and a belief in our abilities."
  2. The courage to start: "The most important step for an entrepreneur is the first one: to dare to start."
  3. Growth as a necessity: In the IT industry, Godin understood that to remain relevant and serve clients effectively, the company had to grow. "Growth is oxygen."
  4. Patience and perseverance: Building CGI was a marathon, not a sprint. Godin's long-term vision and relentless perseverance were critical.
  5. Calculated risk-taking: While ambitious, Godin's growth strategy, particularly in acquisitions, has always been rooted in deep analysis and calculated risk.
  6. On going public: Taking CGI public in 1986 was a strategic move to fuel growth and broaden employee ownership.
  7. Staying the course: "We had a plan, and we stuck to it. Through good times and bad, we never lost sight of our dream and our management principles."
  8. The 2 a.m. test: When considering a major decision, Godin asks himself if it will let him sleep at night, a test of its ethical and strategic soundness.

On Leadership and Values

Godin's leadership style is characterized by humility, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the company's foundational values.

  1. Leading by example: Godin embodies the values he preaches, from his disciplined work ethic to his focus on the well-being of members.
  2. Humility in success: Despite his immense success, Godin remains grounded. "We are not a company of superstars. We are a team of dedicated professionals."
  3. The importance of social responsibility: "A company has a responsibility not just to its shareholders, but to the communities in which it operates."
  4. Integrity is non-negotiable: CGI's reputation is built on trust and integrity, values that start at the top.
  5. Trust your people: "You have to trust the people you work with. If you don't, you can't build a great company."
  6. The leader as a coach: Godin sees his role as setting the vision and providing the tools for his team to succeed.
  7. Respect for all: "Respect is a fundamental value. Respect for our clients, respect for our members, and respect for our competitors."
  8. Passion for the business: "You have to love what you do. If you don't have passion, you won't have the energy to persevere through the tough times."

On the Future and Legacy

Now as Executive Chairman, Godin is focused on ensuring the long-term sustainability of the company he built.

  1. Building a company for the long term: "My goal was always to build a company that would last 100 years."
  2. The next generation of leaders: Godin has been deliberate about succession planning, ensuring the next generation of leaders is steeped in the CGI culture.
  3. Adapting to change: "The world of technology is always changing. We must be constantly learning and adapting."
  4. On philanthropy: Through his family foundation, the Fondation Jeunesse-Vie, Godin is dedicated to helping young people in difficulty.
  5. A legacy of ownership: He hopes his legacy will be the enduring ownership culture that empowers employees and drives the company's success.
  6. The constitution as a guarantee: The CGI Constitution, which enshrines the dream and management principles, is designed to ensure the company's culture endures.
  7. The client always comes first: "Without clients, we don't have a company. They are the reason we exist."
  8. Quality is paramount: A relentless focus on quality of service has been a hallmark of CGI since its founding.
  9. From Quebec to the world: Godin is proud of CGI's Quebec roots and its successful expansion into a global player.
  10. The journey continues: "We are proud of what we have built, but we are even more excited about the future. The CGI dream continues."