Health as a key asset for a thriving organization

THE FLOW OF ENERGY + INFORMATION DEFINES AN ORGANIZATION'S HEALTH

There is growing evidence that the metaphor of an organization as a biological living system is a more suitable way to understand our organizations.?

Adopting this metaphor would radically change the way we join, participate in and manage our organizations.

But do the characteristics of a living system apply to organizations?

LIFE IS A CONSTANT FLOW OF ENERGY + INFORMATION

One of life’s predominant characteristics is that only with the benefit of a constant flow of energy and information is it able to support itself. ?

Similarly, organizations also require a constant flow of energy and information. It is this flow of raw materials, people and ideas which as a whole characterize the uniqueness of any organization.

But what does life do with its perpetual flow of energy and information??

Nature constantly reproduces itself - cells die off but are continuously replaced.?

Similar processes transpire in organizations. The numerous roles and functions inside of an organization may remain fairly stable despite changing processes (i.e. digitalization). But in reality these roles may be carried out by different people over time.?

LIFE ADAPTS – EVEN IN THE WORKPLACE

This provides a strong parallel with the flourishing world of nature. Individuals adapt to changes in their environment through learning. Correspondingly, organizations which fail to adapt to the on-going changes in their environment by not continuously learning and adapting often cease to exist.

ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD EVOLVE JUST LIKE NATURE

When different living systems cooperate and combine to create new life forms, life unceasingly evolves. This is observed in the evolutionary story in which which bacteria developed into multi-cellular life.

Organizations evolve in a similar manner. Transformation is made possible by extending and deepening a company’s cooperation with other organizations. This expansion takes place in their value chain ecosystems or via mergers which bring new capabilities into a business’ inner orbit.

LEADERS MUST RECOGNIZE HEALTH AS A KEY ASSET FOR A ?SUSTAINABLE (AND THRIVING) ORGANIZATION?

Not unlike in the natural world, it is the life-affirming flows which provide the key nutrients which maintain all the individual components of an organization.?

Health is an intrinsic component which implies maintaining balance both in nature as well as in organizations. Despite being part of a very dynamic system of constant flows, general stability is maintained.?

Health also presupposes that in order to flourish, an organization must live in harmony with its external environment as well as its flow of energy and information.

For a company to achieve this balance and compatibility with a continually dynamic environment, cultivating the health of an organization emerges as its most important asset.??

#healthandwellbeing #organizationalculture #connnections #leadershipmindset #transformationalchange

Unpredictability is the new normal. Are you leaders ready?

Ensemble Enabler has developed a unique 1-day seminar designed especially for managers and leaders to enable them to develop their personal Network Leadership capacity in their organizations which adresses:

• A comprehensive introduction to how effective networks work in organizations and their business ecosystems
• Exploration about how networks enable organizations to adapt to continuous change.
• A unique Network Leadership Toolkit with guidelines, checklists and action items

Why wait? Contact Ensemble Enabler to schedule a courtesy call to discuss how this initiative can be a catalyst to attain organizational resilience.