Introducing The Regenerative Edge

Regenerative adjective (growing or improving)

"relating to the improvement of a place or system, especially by making it more active or successful"

Welcome to "The Regenerative Edge," a newsletter that delves into the fascinating world of organisations and the ever-evolving landscape of work. ?As a consultant, I am constantly exposed to the ambiguities and complexities of how organisations operate, and it is this dynamic that has led me to embark on this journey of exploration.

In my line of work, I encounter a myriad of challenges – wicked problems that seem to defy straightforward solutions.?I have found that many leaders struggle to embrace uncertainty and to view their organisations as living ecosystems.??

I believe this mindset shift – from certainty to uncertainty, from literal to lateral, from comprehendible to complex and correlated, from fixed to mutable, from reactive to adaptive - is pivotal in today's fast-paced, interconnected world, where change is the status quo.

Regenerative versus Resilient

One of the core tenets of regenerative organisations is the realisation that only those that can adapt and thrive in the face of change can excel or even survive. This viewpoint differs greatly from the concept of organisational resilience, which is a laudable trait but does not include altering in order to survive in the environment - a reed is commendably resilient but only bends to, or is broken by, the elements.

In contrast, consider the chameleon orchid, a remarkable plant that thrives deep in the heart of the rainforest.?This exquisite flower adapts to its surroundings with astonishing precision.?By changing its colors and patterns, the chameleon orchid seamlessly blends in with its ever-shifting habitat, evading predators and harnessing the changing conditions to its advantage.?Just as the orchid transforms to survive, so must organisations embrace adaptability to thrive in the face of evolving markets, technologies, competitive threats and societal shifts.

The Future of Work has no 'New Normal'

The future of work landscape is influenced by technology innovation, demographic shifts, and changing social norms.?From remote work and virtual collaboration to the rise of automation and artificial intelligence, organisational work is undergoing a profound transformation.??There will be no 'new normal' for any substantial period of time.

The concept that learning agility (World Economic Forum, 2018) will be a critical component for organisations to successfully adapt is at the heart of a regenerative approach.?Leaders must "find ways to leverage people's commitment and capacity to learn at all levels," as Peter Senge puts it in his seminal work, "The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of The Learning Organization."

Strategy as Experiment

When we recognise that organisations are made of people - and so are complex, somewhat unpredictable, constantly shape-shifting but also able to learn and grow - we can approach strategic planning as a scientist would approach an experiment; build a picture of the desired future (the hypothesis), break the strategy into stages or components (tests), map interconnected or related aspects or processes (variable correlations), establish metrics (measures), pilot and look for unforeseen consequences, refine and re-apply.

With this regenerative mindset we are better able to design adaptive business strategies to implement incrementally and adapt over time, avoiding the "do nothing" syndrome that can take hold when leaders perceive their environment as too volatile or uncertain and are fearful of "getting it wrong."

Decision-makers frequently assume that cause and effect will be relatively close to one another when designing corporate plans and KPIs, and so favour simple, obvious solutions.?However, when a strategy is considered from the perspective of the entire ecosystem, it is clear that short-term gains can come at a high price in the long run.?For instance, reducing spending on early-stage research and development can result in short-term cost reductions but seriously jeopardise an organisations’ long-term competitiveness.

Think like an Explorer

Throughout this newsletter, I will examine common business challenges and the future of work through a regenerative lens, and delve into the practices, mindsets, and strategies that might help leaders approach wicked problems in a different and perhaps ultimately more successful way.?

I will share stories of organisations that have successfully adopted regenerative principles (even if they don’t call it that!) and examine the effects on their competitiveness and performance.?These insights will help you gain a deeper understanding of the nuances and challenges involved in transforming a traditional organisation (or department) into an adaptive, future-focused entity.

"The Regenerative Edge" seeks to push the boundaries of typical organisational thinking and management memes.?I invite you to embrace uncertainty and complexity and join me on this journey of exploration and growth.?Let’s strive to dismantle the barriers that hinder progress, and shape a future where organisations develop a "Regenerative Edge" that allows the business, their people and the community to thrive.