As a new category on our blog, we are now regularly publishing book recommendations. Today we are starting with an absolute classic when it comes to other forms of organisation. We’re talking about the book ‘Reinventing Organizations’ by Frederik Laloux. Back in 2014, he examined the possibilities of radically redesigning organizations.
The incentive for this was his thesis that the traditional hierarchy has reached its limits as a form of organisation. However, he is convinced that it is possible to create a new type of organization that is significantly more effective, more human and more sustainable.
In 360 pages, he describes how this can be achieved, using examples from the real world.
Intention
Laloux examines several ‘mature’ organisations that have already successfully undergone such a transformation. These are companies from a wide range of sectors, from technology to agriculture and services.
He describes their structures, processes and values and shows how they involve and support their employees and ultimately get them to work successfully.
The special thing about it is that it goes far beyond conventional corporate management. He proposes a holistic approach that also takes into account the personal development of employees as well as responsibility for society and the environment. Reinventing Organizations shows that it is possible to create an organization based on mutual trust, self-organization and a sense of responsibility while allowing employees to fully develop their talents and skills.
Overall, Reinventing Organizations is an inspiring and visionary book. It shows that there are alternatives to conventional organizations and that it is possible to redesign them. It is suitable both for managers who want to change their organizations and for anyone who is interested in the future of companies and society.
In a nutshell: The three most important findings from ‘Reinventing Organizations’
The traditional hierarchy as a form of organization has reached its limits. However, it is possible to create a new type of organization that is more effective, more human and more sustainable.
There are already several ‘mature’ organizations that have successfully undergone such a transformation and can serve as role models. Laloux cites the companies Buurtzog, Favi and the Heiligenfeld Clinic in Bad Kissingen as examples. These are based on mutual trust, self-organization and a sense of responsibility and promote the personal development of their employees as well as responsibility for society and the environment.
It is possible to create an organization that enables employees to fully develop their talents and abilities. This is based on a holistic approach that takes into account both the human and organizational dimensions. This can help organizations become more successful and sustainable and make a positive contribution to society.
Reinventing Organizations is an absolute must-read for anyone interested in evolutionary forms of organization. It is available in two forms, as a somewhat more comprehensive ‘text book’ and also as an illustrated work.
Our introduction to Teal
Want to delve deeper into the topic? We have created a self-study course on the Academy and will be happy to help you with further access to the topic of ‘Teal’ and evolutionary forms of organisation.