Leadership: Creating Happy Times in Uncertain Times

Resource 2: Reinventing Organizations

The next resource is a game-changer for any leader, especially if you are the BOSS (or if you are coaching bosses)! I am so inspired by the ideas in Frédéric Laloux’s, Reinventing Organizations, that I bring the TEAL principles he teaches to every project I’m involved in. The enthusiastic reaction I get from every project team is a real testament to the underlying power and truth of the messages in this book.

Organisational Types

The book kicks off by explaining 5 different types of organizations based on the different world views of the leaders in the organization.
The organization types are:

Impulsive-Red (Wolf Pack)
Conformist-Amber (Army)
Achievement-Orange (Machine)
Pluralistic-Green (Family)
Evolutionary-TEAL (Organic) – not yet mainstream

Time to be Organic

Since we are currently in a time of Crisis and MASSIVE change no one is quite sure what’s going to happen next. So it’s time to adopt TEAL principles because organizations that are more organic by design will be better equipped to pivot and adapt in response to these unpredictable external circumstances.

Based on this premise (i.e. that TEAL is the future), the rest of the book goes into exploring the practices that make an Evolutionary – TEAL organization.

TEAL Practices Breed Happiness

I spent the first 10 years of my career in large traditional organisations including a Telecommunications Company in the UK and various departments within the Australian Government. I’ve had the opportunity to experience practices from the first four organization types explored in the beginning of the book. I know from first-hand experience what it feels like to have no power over your work with strict top-down decision-making that feels completely disconnected from the reality of the project I’ve been working on. In a nutshell, it sucks.

But I believe that we can LOVE our work. Our work can give us more life and be fun to do every day! TEAL principles give us the recipe to bring that reality to life.

Teal practices create organizations that honor and value the whole person, for the shared benefit of all.

Some of the ideas under TEAL include:

Self-management
Bring all of who we are to work (not just work facade)
The organic unfolding of future driven by the people
Jobs defined by people’s interests, talents + org needs
People are trusted, trust themselves, EMPOWERED

Here’s an example policy that people love (once the egos in the room take a few deep breaths and tune into their true soul) – any person can make any decision after seeking advice from:

everyone who will be meaningfully affected, and
people with expertise in the matter.

Go TEAL!

Teal organizational principles have helped bring even more happiness and joy into my coaching business (for me and the people I work with).

For more INSPIRING reading on TEAL practices, check out the Reinventing Organizations Wiki and most certainly buy the book.

Reflection

Teaser for Part 3...

In my next article I’ll share a new project that is very dear to my heart. As a leader, without this thing, you will be chasing your tail in business for the rest of all eternity. Discover the key to living heaven on Earth right now.

Benay Dyor

Benay is a compassionate treasure hunter who helps her clients remember the truth of who they are so they can peacefully navigate the chaos of life. She’s been a coach, mentor, and teacher for over 15 years and now works exclusively with tenured personal development experts in transition. She leads a quiet and private life with her family of 3 in the beautiful Sunshine Coast, Australia.

https://universalcoachingsystems.com/

Benay Dyor

https://universalcoachingsystems.com/