Thursday, March 12, 2009

The Organization Triad

Over the years I have run into three types of organizations and the other as I sat to think about them I visualized them in a triad.

1. Stable organization with controlled change
2. Evolving organization with experimental change
3. Metastasized organization with no change

1. Stable organization with controlled change: Are the ones that are extremely successful with a defined culture and strong foundation of institutionalized knowledge. They are able to attract top talent and sometimes competitive pressures inside the organizations can get caustic but always push individuals to perform better than expectations
2. Evolving organization with experimental change: These organizations are always trying to understand why things are not working at the highest levels of performance? A definitive culture is lacking, knowledge is not usually institutionalized, fear prevails across all the ranks creating the need to try new things without giving anything a fair chance of success and leadership gaps exist at many levels within the organization
3. Metastasized organization with no change: These organizations are in a very sick state. Talent has suffered, leadership is very often in denial on many issues, and most people like to play the blame game. Issues tackled are symptoms and the root cause continues to fester. Poor leadership is often the root cause – MOKITA is a fact here. Short term thinking leads to shortfalls and is perpetuated, no one wants to tie a bell around the cats neck.