The Chaotic Org Simplification: What we can learn from the brilliance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony

As someone deeply immersed in the world of organizational strategy and a father of rambunctious twin girls, I seek out a little quiet time usually taking a walk, to help me unravel my diverse thoughts and to help things fall into place. Some prefer the gym, which as a former gym rat I also love. While others may prefer socializing, reading or other hobbies; I enjoy walking and listening to Beethoven.

Beethoven? Yes, Beethoven. I was raised in Vienna, Austria, where classical music is never far away. My regular habit is to walk and listen to Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with its triumphant "Ode to Joy". You’ll know it, you’ve heard it, you’ve felt it, wherever you are in the world. You may have experienced its awesome power in films. “Ode to Joy” features in many blockbusters including Dead Poets’ Society and A Clockwork Orange; and 10,000 people get together in Japan each year to perform it as part of a Daiku.

While 10,000 people singing “Ode to Joy” is truly spectacular, I prefer to listen alone, because it speaks to me on a personal level. I find it invigorating, uplifting, inspiring, encouraging, and for such a dynamic energetic piece, I find it calming. Its message of unity, hope, and the indomitable human spirit resonates with my own experiences navigating the complexities of the world. I walk, listen, ponder and allow myself time to think deeply about some of the problems I’m trying to solve. Often, I’m tasked with bringing order to chaotic org transformation. My job is to simplify, optimize, and bring about change. To end the chaos.

“Ode to Joy” itself is like a chaotic org transformation being simplified, finding order. Anyone in organizational strategy role could do well taking some inspiration from the great Ludwig Van Beethoven when designing and implementing states of excellence. Before you think music has nothing to do with Org Strategy, bear with me. I may convince you to think differently.

Some background: Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125, commonly known as the "Choral Symphony," is renowned for its final movement, which features "Ode to Joy". The meaning behind this powerful piece is deeply rooted in the celebration of unity, brotherhood (and sisterhood), and the joy of the human spirit. Beethoven infused his work with a sense of hope, success over adversity, and a vision of human harmony.

His life experiences play a strong part in his focus on the themes of unity and the glory of the human spirit. He lived during a time of great political and social turmoil, including the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars (is it any different today?). These events inspired him to compose works that expressed themes of freedom, heroism, and the struggle for human dignity. He also faced numerous personal struggles, including the loss of his hearing, which began to deteriorate when he was still in his twenties. His ability to transcend his own physical limitations and create works of enduring beauty speaks to his belief in the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity.

When I listen to "Ode to Joy," I feel uplifted and invigorated, as if anything is possible. The soaring melodies, powerful crescendos, and jubilant chorus remind me of the limitless potential of the human imagination and our capacity to overcome obstacles and achieve greatness. As I walk, either at home in Massachusetts, or anywhere else in the world, I lose myself in the music in order to gain more mental clarity. And mental clarity comes in the form of inspiration to calm the chaos within organization. How can we identify all the moving parts? How can we understand their value, their place, and their role? How can we understand how best to optimize each and every aspect of an organization, and every resource available to us?

The lyrics of "Ode to Joy", originally in German are by Friedrich Schiller:

Freude, sch?ner G?tterfunken,

Tochter aus Elysium,

Wir betreten feuertrunken,

Himmlische, dein Heiligtum!

Deine Zauber binden wieder

Was die Mode streng geteilt;

Alle Menschen werden Brüder,

Wo dein sanfter Flügel weilt.

?

Which translates to:

Joy, beautiful spark of divinity,

Daughter of Elysium,

We approach, fire-drunk,

Heavenly, your sanctuary!

Your magic binds again

What custom strictly divided;

All people become brothers,

Where your gentle wing abides.

These lyrics celebrate the transformative power of joy to uplift the spirit, transcend divisions, and unite people in a shared experience of harmony. I’m truly inspire by this, but it is not just the theme of the work that inspires me, I think the shape of the work is like an org transforming. Where there was chaos, now there is order. “Ode to Joy” follows a journey from darkness and struggle to ultimate triumph and joy. The symphony as a whole is often seen as a testament to the human capacity for resilience. I definitely feel that, when I listen to it. When I listen, I experience many things all working on their own, but around each other, perhaps chaotically, gradually adapt and change until eventually at the end, everything is harmonious, as if it had never been and could never be otherwise.

This is certainly how I’d like any of my Org Simplification projects to end up. There may be chaos while something is changing, at the end everything has to come to rest and be calm. I believe “Ode to Joy” can be likened to a chaotic organization finally working well and delivering in several ways - just as a chaotic org transformation may initially struggle to find its footing or direction, the music begins with a sense of disarray and complexity. The symphony's earlier movements often feature moments of tension, uncertainty, and struggle, reflecting the challenges and obstacles that organizations must overcome.

Similar to how a chaotic organization may undergo a process of transformation and development, the piece gradually evolves and unfolds over the course of the symphony. Beethoven explores and elaborates upon the main themes, working through the chaos to find moments of clarity and coherence. Just as a successful organization relies on unity and collaboration among its members, this music brings together different sections of the orchestra in a harmonious and cohesive whole. In the final movement, all the individual voices and instruments join together in a powerful expression of solidarity, reflecting the collective effort; indeed, the collaboration required to achieve org transformation success.

Like a chaotic org transformation b that ultimately overcomes its challenges and achieves its goals, “Ode to Joy” reaches a triumphant conclusion. The movement builds to a majestic climax, with the full orchestra coming together. This reflects the organization's moment of triumph, where all the hard work and effort pay off, and value realization is finally achieved.

You may have never listened to Beethoven in this light, and you may never listen to it the same again! It’s no accident though that Beethoven’s work can be reappropriated as a score for org simplification. Changing complex organizations to work more effectively is both science and art, and must create great upheaval on its way to calm and efficient success. Doing such a ‘big thing’ well is something few organizations get right. They are worthy indeed of a score as exciting and powerful as Beethoven’s.

Of course, it is also possible to listen to Beethoven’s music and notice something new in it every time. For example, if you listen very carefully, you’ll hear the sound of a triangle in “Ode to Joy”. The triangle is used sparingly but effectively to add a touch of color and emphasis to certain passages. You could miss it entirely, but in my mind its presence certainly adds sparkle. I call the triangle the org signal; yes, while this amazing piece of art is somewhat chaotic, Beethoven masterfully uses the triangle to remind us about the importance of focus. For org simplification, it’s simply reminding ourselves about our “Why” – Rational for Transformation. About a quarter way into the piece, everything seems to be coming to a standstill. This is the transformation reflection point where those responsible to enable successful change regroup and pivot based on the difficult conditions on the ground observed since the beginning of the change journey.??

Should you ever find yourself in a never-ending and a chaotic org simplification, listen to Beethoven and remember by the time he completed his 9th Symphony he was completely deaf - imagine that!

?#LetsCollaborate #OrgSimplification #TransformationManagement #ManagedChange