Workshop- Leading in chaos
How to build an intelligent organisation
Background
Geopolitics and technology are only two of the forces that are making the world increasingly uncertain. The traditional process-centric model, which has served organisations well for several centuries, is no longer ‘fit for purpose’. We need a radically different approach. But one that does not threaten existing cashflows or unnerves the staff.
We simply do not know what lies ahead. Case studies are backward looking. A playbook will only work when the game has explicit rules, a boundary and a clear scoring mechanism. This is no longer the case. Perhaps the most shocking realisation is that leaders are no longer in control.
However there is a way forward. The Adaptive Edge Initiative advocates an intelligent approach, which in essence draws from what we know about living systems. Such systems are optimised for survival. They:
-
Have an acute sense of their environment.
-
Are probabilistic rather than deterministic.
-
Behave in a real-time manner.
This programme will enable your leaders to develop an organisation capable of operating in increasingly chaotic circumstances.
Benefits
Your leaders will:
-
Develop both confidence and competence once they understand how the world is changing and the implications for how organisations operate.
-
Be able to harness the full potential of your people, technology (including AI) and data.
-
Be able to orchestrate this organisational evolution without spending a fortune on transformation. Counterintuitively, perhaps, your people will welcome this and so your existing cashflows will not be put at further risk.
Approach
This programme comprises six modules delivered virtually over 6 weeks. Each module is of 60 minutes duration with an optional extra 30 minutes for further discussion.
Also:
-
Given the seniority of the participants this will be very interactive.
-
There will be a focus on both the associated pain points, along with practical ways to address them.
-
We will highlight exemplar organisations to demonstrate this works in practice.
-
We will uncover the underlying principles to help participants apply the learning to their own context.
-
We will use activities to embed the key principles.
-
Each module will conclude with a set of clear, implementable actions.
-
Participants will receive a workbook to capture their own takeaways from the programme.
To convert this learning experience into organisational value we can, optionally, include post-programme assignments for each participant. These assignments can be supported with both coaching and assessment.
Delivery options
These include:
-
The public programme - people from different organisations attend.
-
A private programme - only your people attend.
We can run this in-person as a single event session at your offices.
If you're looking to engage a larger audience, we can present the principles as a dynamic and impactful keynote.
Through my relationship with the Møller Institute at Churchill College, University of Cambridge, I can also provide access to:
-
Complementary leadership experts.
-
Programme design and development capacity.
-
Certification.
-
Learning facilities, including what can be termed the Cambridge experience.
Non-traditional
The content draws on multiple disciplines. Participants find this refreshing and stimulating. These include:
-
Anthropology
-
Evolutionary biology
-
Cybernetics
-
Complex systems
-
Sociology
-
Technology
-
Human performance
-
Neuroscience.
Please note that participants do not need a background in these disciplines.
Our approach recognises that the world is becoming more uncertain and thus it departs from the traditional linear playbook approach. The programme embraces the reality associated with complexity and chaos and thus challenges assumptions around control and strategy.
Leaders typically find this both challenging and refreshing. While the rising uncertainty may push them out of their comfort zone, it will lead to a deeper sense of empowerment and clarity. More leader and less boss.
Target audience
This programme is suitable for leaders, aspirant leaders and anyone involved in organisational transformation. Talent and technology leaders will also find this programme valuable.
The programme is sector agnostic. The associated principles apply to both public and private sector organisations.
Outline
The following are the primary areas of focus:
-
Disruption – What is driving the need to develop intelligent organisations.
-
Organisational design – A real-time, adaptive approach.
-
Talent management – Harnessing our humanity.
-
Technology – Augmenting our cognition.
-
Leadership – The organisational nervous system.
-
Purpose – A buffer against uncertainty.
Outcomes
By the end of this programme, leaders will:
-
Have a deep appreciation of why your organisation needs to evolve.
-
Understand in what way your organisation needs to evolve.
-
Recognise the importance of cognition, both natural (your people) and artificial, in respect of innovation.
-
Be equipped with a set of actionable steps to increasing their organisation’s intelligence.