Teal: A View to the World with Multi-coloured Glasses

Originally published in the LIVEsciences Newsletter in March 2023

In the world of art, teal is this beautiful shade of deep blue-green represented by the hex code #008080, which is believed to have originated from the colour around the eye of a Eurasian Teal Duck.

In management circles, teal is not just a pretty colour. Teal has taken a different meaning in the progressive world of work. In his book “Reinventing Organizations”, Frederic Laloux used teal as a colour to describe an evolutionary worldview that is described as a new form of organisational structure based on self-management, wholeness, and evolutionary purpose. This new paradigm is characterised by a radically different way of thinking about work, where individuals are encouraged to express their creativity, their values, and their sense of purpose.

In his book, Laloux describes teal as an integration layer of all the different worldviews. It’s important not to oversimplify. People can operate in different colours in different parts of their lives, some maybe more prominent than the others, and that does not always mean they are pure bred. Think about teal like you are viewing the world with multi-coloured lenses.

When we look at the world through conventional organisational lenses, we see it in terms of hierarchy, control, and command-and-control structures. This worldview limits our ability to see the full range of possibilities that exist in the world, and it makes it difficult for us to respond to complex problems in innovative and effective ways. Wearing teal as your multi-coloured glasses, you are able to see the world in a much broader and more nuanced way, and you are able to respond to challenges with creativity, flexibility, and agility.

When you wear your multi-coloured glasses, it is hard to miss some of these distinct features, and they don’t always have to be there all the time. Some teal organisations focus on self-management, which means that decision-making is distributed throughout the organisation and that individuals are empowered to make decisions that impact their work. This is in contrast to traditional hierarchical organisations, where decision-making is concentrated at the top of the hierarchy. Others are focused on wholeness, which means that they recognise the importance of individuals bringing their full selves to work. This includes their values, their passions, and their sense of purpose. This is in contrast to traditional organisations, where employees are often expected to leave their personal lives at the door and to conform to a rigid set of expectations and norms. Finally, some teal organisations are focused on evolutionary purpose, which means that they are constantly adapting and evolving to meet the needs of their stakeholders. This is in contrast to traditional organisations, which are often focused on maintaining the status quo and resisting change.

One of the key benefits of the teal paradigm is that it allows individuals to express their creativity and to bring their full selves to work. This can lead to increased engagement, motivation, and job satisfaction, which in turn can lead to improved performance and organisational outcomes. Another benefit is that it allows organisations to respond more effectively to complex and rapidly changing environments. Because decision-making is distributed throughout the organisation, these organisations are able to respond quickly and flexibly to emerging challenges and opportunities.

Organisations that are teal-by-design represent a radical shift from traditional hierarchical structures. By focusing on self-management, wholeness, and evolutionary purpose, teal organisations are able to see the world in a much broader and more nuanced way. This allows them to respond to challenges quickly, and to create a work environment that is more engaging, fulfilling, and effective.

The metaphor of "seeing the world through multi-coloured glasses" captures the essence of this new paradigm, and suggests that by embracing teal principles, organisations can unlock a whole new range of possibilities.

Curious which companies are embodying teal principles in their organisations? Would you like to be inspired first-hand how they practice self-management, wholeness and evolutionary purpose? Join the monthly Global Teal Meetups and of course check out LIVEsciences as we tell our story at the Teal Around the World event on 7-8 March 2024 for 30-hours straight, together with other organisations who are with us in responding to what’s unfolding in our world of work.