Organizational Efficiency vs. Equilibrium
“Finding efficiencies” is a phrase often used during organizational change and restructuring activities, particularly during economic downturns. Organizations seek to reduce costs by increasing efficiency, thereby achieving financial stability and predictable operations. The difficulty with this thinking, however, is that it assumes organizations are machines rather than ecosystems. Machines are closed systems designed so that […]
What do you do with a BA in Theatre?
The hit musical Avenue Q crashed onto the Broadway stage in 2004 and quickly claimed a Tony for best musical score. In the opening scene, Princeton, a recent college graduate, is working on finding a place for himself as a newly minted Millennial adult. “What do you do with a B.A. in English?” he ponders […]
This is your brain on change
The classic 1980s anti-drug TV ad This is your brain on drugs may not be familiar to some readers, given their age. Personally, I didn’t even know about it until my undergraduate advertising class. I can see why the ad is considered one of the best public health ads ever. The sizzling egg in the […]
Ambiguity
Ambiguity is a fact of life, particularly in large organizations. We see it everywhere: the unknown and unpredictability that comes from massive systems. What defines our organizational culture is how we respond to ambiguity. Leaders are faced with two paths. One is to focus on control and develop processes and systems that manage and control […]
Creativity, Change, and Chaos
There is a relationship between creative generation and change. Creativity happens at the edge of chaos is a phrase that is equally terrifying and inspiring. But it makes sense for anyone who has experienced the creative rush that comes from the need to adapt, modify, bootstrap, or Macgyver quickly. Sometimes, our best ideas or most […]
Why Creativity?
What do you think of when considering what it means to be creative? Do you think about an artist in their studio? A writer at their desk? Or a great inventor like Nicola Tesla or a ground-breaking researcher like Marie Curie? These are all examples of “Big-C” creativity, eminent creative works with incredible value to […]