Article : Gearing Up The Organization For Change

1. Articulate the Corporate Mythology
2. Seek Strengths, Not Weakness
3. Recognize the "Strongest Link" in the System
4. Mine Chaos for Opportunity
5. Use Effectiveness as the Managerial Metaphor

1. Articulate the Corporate Mythology
[What is compelling and attractive about this organization?]

Organizations are the expression of an idea that is greater than the organization itself. Behind the idea are values that drive the organization. These values are embodied in the founders and leaders of the organization, and transmitted throughout the organization to it's members in word and deed. These values and their expression are the essence of the corporate mythology.

2. Seek Strengths, Not Weakness
["Where you put your attention, is where you'll get your results."]

The common orientation in western thinking towards 'problem solving' is often exemplified in American business. This thinking and attitude is often counterproductive to building sustainable competitive advantage, leading to continued growth and success. If you look for problems you'll find them - if you look for strengths and opportunities instead you'll find those.

3. Recognize the "Strongest Link" in the System
[Leadership comes from within the system, the system is as strong as its strongest leaders.]

We are taught in mechanical systems, "A chain is only as strong as its weakest link." While this may be true of mechanical systems, it is definitely NOT true of dynamical systems. AII 'human systems' are dynamical. They are in constant change, updating and evolving in response to the environment. In these systems the strongest link often defines the system, and raises the level of performance in other members of the system.

4. Mine Chaos for Opportunity
[Mine chaos for 'hidden order' to uncover opportunity within.]

'Data Mining', 'Learning Organizations' and 'Knowledge Workers' have become familiar terms in the business landscape and play right into the managerial desire for order in the system. However all growth and opportunity come from the reordering of chaos - chaos the exists internally within the organization and chaos existing externally in the marketplace. By seeking out this chaos and the hidden order contained within it unrealized potential becomes accessible and value can be added to the system.

5. Use Effectiveness as the Managerial Metaphor
[People Skills and Organizational Strategy, influencing behavior to produce results.]

Most organizations speak about people as their most important asset and resource, yet few really deliver on this in action. The primary role of the manager is to produce the results of the organization through the actions of others. This requires the manager to be effective, to do the right things at the right time and in the right way to get extraordinary results with and through both ordinary and extraordinary employees.

[Note: This is a summary of our full executive brief, "Organizational Effectiveness and Human Systems Design™." Contact us to receive your free copy of our brief, "Organizational Effectiveness and Human Systems Design™".]