I’d like to divide this chapter in 2 unique sections. Section one talks about the merging of our world and becoming a one place. We’ve had this discussion in the class, that America is on the road for globalization and majority of companies are seeking partners, business and customers outside the US as well. The effect of global interdependance can be vividly seen from the 2008 US housing crises, which caused the entire world go into a recession. Merging of the world cultures is also on the rise and New York is a great example of it, though its positive and more negative affects are a subject for a different discussion in another blog.
Section 2 of this chapter focuses on the “new manager” and what is required of a company leader to successfully run a “globalized”, technologically connected company in the new chaotic world market. Again, as I have done in my previous blog posts I’d like to summarize chapter’s acquired knowledge for my personal educational growth, as well as future reference.
Per the book “Lessons of Experience”mentioned by Bennis, the following are the key principles a leader must possess and follow, in order to lead the company and its people successfully:
- Take advantage of every opportunity, where OPPORTUNITY = EMPOWERMENT
I have never looked at opportunity as empowerment and nevertheless it is a great approach to create creativity and give birth to leadership within any organization. Supporting someone’s initiative and encourage taking responsibility of a part of a project or allowing one to be flexible and design his/her own approach CREATES AND NOURISHES leadership traits - Aggressively search for a meaning, where MEANING = ENGAGEMENT
This statement simply talks about setting clear goals and defining one’s or companies vision, so that every follower has a clear grasp of the direction and thus, fully engages, knowing where the company is heading to. Having good values is an important aspect of a vision that determines its followers - Know yourself, where LEARNING = LEADING
“Organizations purpose should determine its structure” “Release of the full potential of its employees is the organization’s true task”, thus it must facilitate learning, provide for growth and development and offer as many opportunities to its employees. In other words, investment in human capital, is the investment into the company. One pays for the other.
The following are statements I found important to record:
Organizations that succeed over time have the following characteristics in common:
- A flatter, less hierarchical structure
- More autonomous units
- An orientation toward high-value-added goods and service
- Quality controls
- Service controls
- Responsiveness
- Innovative speed
- Flexibility
- Highly trained and skilled workers who use their minds as well as their hands
- Leader at all levels, rather than managers
Moreover, the following new tasks must be addressed and perfected within an organization that wants to be successful in our new chaotic and technology-growing world:
- Defining the organizations’ mission, so as to frame its activities and inform its workforce
- Creating a flexible environment in which people are not only valued, but encouraged to develop to their full potential, and treated as equals rather that subordinates
- Reshaping the corporate culture so that creativity, autonomy, and continuous learning replace conformity, obedience, and rote; and long-term growth, not short-term profit, is the goal
- Transforming the organization from a rigid pyramid to a fluid circle, or an ever-evolving network of autonomous units
- Encouraging innovation, experimentation, and risk taking
- Anticipating the future by reading the present
- Making new connections within the organization
- Constantly studying the organization from the outside as well as the inside
- Identifying weak links in the chain and repairing them
- Thinking globally, rather that nationally or locally
- Identifying and responding to new and unprecedented needs in the work force
- Being proactive rather than reactive, comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty
