3 is the Magic Number
3 ways of looking at organisations by David Roe
David was previously Director of Innovation Capability at BIS, where he launched The Innovation Space, BIS’s permanent home for innovation. He now works independently in the field of organisational development and strategy. He has particular interests in culture, innovation and using creative approaches to help people think differently about the organisational leadership challenges they face.
My own research leads me to believe that there are three pairs of eyes to look at organisations and culture through.
The Engineer sees the organisation as a machine, to be maintained in good working order. You must periodically take it to bits, check how it works, fix it and if necessary modify it. Lean is a good example of this approach. Another is the vogue for de-layering (to make people more productive). The Engineer is rational and he believes in progress and the laws of cause and effect
- I notice how people do their best work when they feel valued and engaged.
The Therapist attends to the organisation’s psychology and well-being, rather than to its mechanics. For organisational development consultants, the first step towards high-performance is diagnosing the underlying causes of dysfunction. As with individuals and families, an organisation experiencing problems may be unconsciously repeating behaviour that served it in the past, rather than adapting to changing circumstances. Or it might be stuck in habits that satisfy daily needs at the cost of long term health.
The third viewpoint is the Artist’s. Rather than assuming the need to intervene to fix or cure, she appreciates the organisation as a human organism, with the inherent capacity to evolve.
Each point of view has its fans amongst leaders, consultants and gurus. I have my own preferences but try to find room for all three. Keeping an open mind allows us to draw on the full range of human energy needed for innovation – physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual.
Please note: Innovation is a complex subject and there are many perspectives on what innovation is and how to do it. This blog site provides the space to explore a broad range of ideas and opinions. Its content should not necessarily be taken as Government policy.
