110 likes | 243 Views
Leading a Living Organization. All living systems share three common properties (Capra) Interdependence with other networked systems Self-organizing capacity Co-evolution with their environments. Organize (Dictionary Definition).
E N D
Leading a Living Organization • All living systems share three common properties (Capra) • Interdependence with other networked systems • Self-organizing capacity • Co-evolution with their environments
Organize (Dictionary Definition) • Give organic structure to: provide with the structure and interdependence of parts which subserves vital processes; form into a living being (italics added) • Become a systemic whole; become coordinated
Four Trends in the Evolution of Organizations • Strong culture organizations: collective beliefs, spirit • High-involvement organizations: participation, decentralization • Team-based organizations: groups, networks • Learning organizations: continuous improvement, transformation
Key Features of New “Ideal Type” Organizational Form • Purpose • Design • Governance • Membership • Leadership • Rewards • Learning Harder, Robertson, and Woodward
Purpose • Contribute to individual and collective well-being • Principle of harm minimization • Responsible for negative externalities • Responsive to interests of all stakeholders
Design • Social network, “cellular” form of organization • Minimize hierarchy with primary focus on horizontal relationships • Self-organizing cells that are autonomous yet interdependent • Normative control through strong culture based on shared mission and values
Governance • “Inside-out” model of governance • Self-managing system reflecting principles of democracy and subsidiarity • Full inclusion and open participation in relevant decisions • Integrative, consensus-based decision processes
Membership • Citizenship based on covenantal relationships • Egalitarian with context-specific authority • Individuality and creativity grounded in respect for diversity • Continuance dependent on mutual agreement
Leadership • Distributed throughout the organization • Stewardship and servant leadership • Facilitative rather than controlling • Productive power and reciprocal influence
Rewards • Explicit contracts regarding terms of exchange • Based on 360-degree performance evaluations • Collective determination of equitable distribution • Considerable use of intrinsic rewards
Learning • Adaptability through continuous improvement and innovation • Critical role of individual and organizational feedback • Importance of regular reflection on “process” • Information systems that enable open access to relevant information