Monday
Dec082008
Fractal Is As Fractal Does ... Emergent Forms of Organisation Structure ?
Monday, December 8, 2008 at 1:09PM It was only a matter of time. If you look at the bullet points at the bottom of this post and you have been following emergent thinking about the future of work and / or Enterprise 2.0, you will recognize that many of us who have been thinking and writing about this new environment have covered off most, if not all, of the bullet points.
I'm delighted to have stumbled across this new (to me) initiative (more below) for helping organizations in today's networked world of work create what these folks call "organic leadership" in "natural hierarchies".
As some readers will know, I have for several years been yapping about what I call "wirearchy" ...
.
"a dynamic two-way flow of power and authority based on knowledge, trust, credibility and a focus on results, enabled by interconnected people and technology"
.
... and as part of my discourse have mused from time to time about the eventual appearance of fractal patterns of purposeful human activity (notably in workplace / organizational settings).
In fact, a quick comparison of the elements called for in this May 2002 World Future Society piece titled "From Hierarchy to Wirearchy - the future of workplace dynamics", demonstrates considerable alignment with the elements set out further below in the Leadership StrateGems program.
The core components of wirearchy are:
- a crystal clear vision and values
- a strategically designed and integrated technology infrastructure
- comprehensive, clear and completely open communications
- pertinent objectives and focused measurement
- characteristics of culture that create, support and enable responsiveness, adaptability and fluidity
leadership that is clear, focused, open, authentic and shared
.
Recently I have discussed this notion with Dave Snowden, who to my surprise confirmed that there's already interesting research underway on that very subject (I cannot remember the names of the researchers he mentioned). And so it was with delight that I discovered this morning, via the Program For The Future Conference (an interactive conference inspired by Doug Engelbart's vision of harnessing technology for human betterment) that Strategems is pursuing research and education into "fractal org charts".
.
.
Just as modern pesticides deplete soil nutrients, contaminate groundwater, and generate inferior produce, the command-and-control structure of top-down human hierarchies poisons work environments through internal competition and control.
Organizations that have natural hierarchies function more like Nature’s ecosystems than top-down pyramids, continually expanding and evolving rather than remaining fixed and stagnant. In such organizations, leaders and staff are united in their commitment to reaching the group’s goals and utilizing collective intelligence instead of competing against each other internally and wasting time and resources.
[ Snip ... ]
The Leadership StrateGems program is designed to help executives reconstruct their hierarchies organically with nested layers of responsibility and create exciting work environments with unlimited possibilities within the parameters of shared vision and purpose.
Communicating a vision is both an art and a science: it requires not only inspiration from within but also an understanding of the tremendous power of groups in action, working toward a common goal. In this modular program, leaders learn how to increase loyalty and cooperation, improve morale, direct competition energy outward, reduce turnover, and transcend common communication issues through focus in these ten key areas:
- Organic Leadership
- Shared Vision
- Natural Hierarchy
- Collective Intelligence
- Diverse Personalities
- Direct Communication
- Emotional Intelligence
- Group Participation
- Personal Mastery
- Transformation Architecture
.
in Main Page
Main Page 
Reader Comments (12)
Oh, this looks as if I need to schedule time to come back to today. I hadn't read your 'wirearchy' list before. It is refreshing clear. Might reblog it here.
Hey, Jo (where ya goin' with that gun in your hand?) ... couldn't help myself, old Jimi Hendrix lyrics.
In fact I was certain this would ring some of your bells. Had you not commented, I was going to email you the link to the StrateGems site, as I expect that the approach it describes will excite you.
I'd like to point out, to any observant reader, that the approach to transformative leadership described on their site aligns quite closely with the approach to management and leadership I set out in an essay titled http://www.theappgap.com/will-enterprise-20-drive-management-innovation.html" rel="nofollow">"Will Enterprise 2.0 Drive Management Innovation?" .. in my opinion. I think I probably offered the initial "pilings" for a bridge between Taylorism and more "organic", "natural" principles for work design (or at least me and my mum would like to think so).
you are really doing great work, I would like to join your blog
Hi...
Nice post, I would like to request you to one more post about that ****
careprost
Keep it up
ugg boots
cheap ugg boots
discount ugg boots
wholesale ugg boots
ugg classic boots
ugg bailey button
ugg cardy boots
kids ugg boots
ugg slipper
ugg 1886
ugg 5163
ultra short ugg boots
ultra tall ugg boots
ugg 5273
ugg 5359
classic tall ugg boots
classic short ugg boots
paisley short ugg boots
mini ugg boots
ugg 5899
ugg 5803
ugg 5819
argyle knit ugg boots
kids bailey button ugg
ugg 5304
ugg 5616
ugg 5822
Adirondacks II UGG Boots
Highkoo UGG Boots
Tan Payton UGG Boots
Knightsbridge UGG Boots
cheap uggs
uggs outlet
cheap ugg boots
discount uggs
kids ugg boots
ugg boots on sale
ugg store
uggs boots cheap
buy uggs boots
ugg classic short
ugg mini
ugg ultra short
ugg classic tall
ugg ultra tall
ugg ultimate
ugg nightfall
ugg sundance
ugg delaine
ugg broome
ugg elsey
ugg highkoo
ugg classic cardy
ugg stripe cable
ugg classic argyle
ugg bailey button
ugg bailey boots
ugg bailey button triplet
ugg bailey button fancy
ugg kids short
kids bailey button
ugg slippers
ugg outlet
discount ugg boots
ugg short boots
ugg tall boots
ugg cardy boots
Nice work, I would like to read your blog every day Thanks
Astrology Readings | Free Astrology Reading | Education Astrology | Marriage Compatibility
Waterproof, windproof and breathable, such as heat, North Face Sale when you move to ensure its survival. This style leads to the winter season, and anyone who will try to The North Face Outlet style and glamor. So worth the purchase North Face Outlet wholesaler support if it is lower than the retailers and the premium for the same value. A simple solution is relevant as long as you can do it all the levels, such as North Face JacketsNorth Face Outlet or fleece top. http://www.discountnorthfaceoutlet.com/
Waterproof, windproof and breathable, such as heat, North Face Jackets when you move to ensure its survival. This style leads to the winter season, and anyone who will try to North Face Sale style and glamor. So worth the purchase The North Face Outlet wholesaler support if it is lower than the retailers and the premium for the same value. A simple solution is relevant as long as you can do it all the levels, such as North Face Outlet or fleece top. http://www.discountnorthfaceoutlet.com/
Excellently written article, if only all blogger offered the same level of content as you, the internet would be a much better place. Please keep it up!
t's good to see this information in your post, i was looking the same but there was not any proper resource, thanx now i have the link which i was looking for my research..
freelance writer
Precisely described, consistent with empirically demonstrated Valence Theory. Http://valencetheory.pbworks.com .