"A few simple connections are sufficient to generate orderly patterns. Complex behavior orignates from simple rules of connection." -- Margaret Wheatley from her new book, Finding Our Way, Leadership for an Uncertain Time -- which is highly recommended.
? How do tower termites build complex towers including bridges and arches (the tallest structures on earth relative to the builders) without plans, budgets, supervisors, computers or cell phones?
? How do ants find food so effectively that scientists and business people have discovered ways to improve their processes by studying the ways of ants?
? Are there simple rules of engagement that can help us develop a culture of sustainable innovation in our organizations?
These questions have been rattling around in my head for some time as I've been delving deeper into the theories of complexity where following simple rules lead to intricate and sustainable behavior.
I've become so intrigued by stories of "simple rules" used to guide organizational behavior that I've started to collect them. Here are a few:
** Paul Hindes, president of Watcher Technologies, tells employees there are four rules:
* You can’t be an asshole with clients.
* Tell me if my fly is open.
* Be responsive but not dumb.
* It’s really, really okay to make mistakes.
It might not be your language, but it’s definitely clear.
Source: Fortune magazine, "Making Decisions in Real Time," 6/26/2000
** A junior high that operates on three rules of behavior: "Take care of yourself. Take care of each other. Take care of this place." Source: Finding Our Way, Leadership for an Uncertain Time, Margaret Wheatley, (February, 2005).
** In a field with 20% turnover, Capital One’s IT department runs 4%. One reason is a simple set of rules that has unified the department and empowered the staff to make decisions on their own:
* Always align IT activities with the business
* Spend money like it’s your own
* Be flexible in your thinking
* Have empathy for others...walk in their shoes
Source: "Swarm Intelligence," HBR May, 2001
** And, a recent CEO interview where the CEO stated that his one rule was to have everyone make their own decisions. (Source lost, unfortunately.)
So, here's the question: If you could create four "rules" (or guidelines or principles) that would create sustainable innovation within an organization, what would they be? Please respond in the comments section below.
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