'Organising and Disorganising: A Dynamic and Non-Linear Theory of Institutional Emergence and its Implications' by Michael Thompson
"This theory has so many strengths, it is difficult to know where to start. In particular, I like the fact that Michael rejects the notion that human development has an end point in favour of the view that change always results through the ‘clumsy' interaction of ways of thinking and behaving. Another insight is the understanding, when one or more of these views, is excluded the outcome is at best sub-optimal, at worst catastrophic. And it is this that I asked Michael to reflect upon, asking him to think about what cultural theory has to say about the banking crisis.
My thesis, shallow though it might be, is that
the crisis reflects what happens when those who dwell within and
preach a monolithic culture are given too much power. All that mattered
in the City was individualism; there was no egalitarian belief in
a wider social or moral purpose for banking, nor was there any effective
hierarchy as the rules didn't work, those notionally in charge were
on a merry-go-round they could not get off (even if they wanted to)
and no-one even really understood how the system worked."
Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive of the RSA,
London.
Full blog posting (scroll down to Oct 28th entry)
"New leadership ideas and actions are particularly valuable when the going gets tough. A new book based on Culture Theory shows how to understand and overcome the local peak syndrome.
There is a cartoon often shown during leadership programmes. It shows a mountaineer planting a flag on the summit of a mountain. But the drawing can be expanded to show what the climber had missed. He has reached a local peak, and the real challenge looms ahead. What's worse, he has to get off the local peak before he can start climbing again. It's a powerful visual image. ..
The title may put some potential readers off. That would be a pity. Readers may be pleasantly surprised at the enjoyment and benefit to be derived by signing up for the expedition.
For one thing, the author is a confident guide, and illustrates the journey by means of lots of interesting maps of other expeditions including investigations into environmental problems of the Napalese region, climbing expeditions, and (in some contrast) the move of Arsenal Football club from Highbury to The Emirates Stadium.
The stories illustrate a rich version of cultural theory, and
have implications for leaders of all kinds."
Tudor Rickards, Professor of Creativity and Organisation Change,
Manchester Business School
"We introduced this book last week, but would like to return
to it, given its importance..."
Michel Bauwens - P2P Foundation