Within many organisations, there is a fire burning, out of control, and out of sight. Those who can see it are impotent to do anything. They watch with growing despair, or simply jump ship.
The threats to organisational success today are big, very big. Technology, AI, competition, Brexit, regulation, trade barriers, wars. It’s a long list.
But don’t be fooled.
Massive those these are, they will be the excuses rather than the cause of organisational failure.
The decline of the command and control power structures and the arrival of Gen-X/Millennials have conspired to mutate many organisations into:
“self-organising political systems operating under the delusion of control and rationality”
The back-stabbing, agenda conflicting, self-serving games being played between the ambitious and talented people battling for supremacy – is ignored, discounted or denied. Allowed to warp the decisions, and the actions, that are intended to save the organisation.
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It is not the environment that threatens the success of organisations, it is their inability to harness the resources, the talent and the capability that they already have, and pull it together to rise to the challenges and opportunities that today’s world offers.
Indeed, it appears that many organisations are currently surviving, despite their leadership, not because of it. But for how long?
CEOs, Shareholders and Non-Executives need to recognise that this fire is burning and take steps to bring it under control. Once they have resolved their own differences they can easily begin to channel the energies and ambitions of their most talented people to ensure that their organisation will thrive in the new world.
Because the ultimate, in my view, is to create a:
“self-organising political system united around a common purpose”
Inspired by the field of cybernetics, where they study of organisms that have adapted, survived and thrived for billions of years, this organisational vision will necessitate the introduction of natural systems that have stood to ultimate test of time. And, will put the organisation way ahead of the competition.
Regardless of your position in an organisation, if you recognise the reality of these dynamics, you can act today to improve your position, and potential. Right under your nose, hidden by your technical expertise, your emotions, and your values, lies the secret to becoming even more successful tomorrow, for the good of the organisation.
The winners, both individual and organisational, will be those who are best able to understand and influence the natural political systems around them, and apply them to worthwhile causes.
When you are ready to do this, we are ready to help you make it happen.
Colin Gautrey
Provocative Coach/Mentor | Specialism: Impact and Influence
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