Create an Organization That's Adaptive and Powered By Intelligence And Speed
Large-scale organizational transformations usually don’t work. What originally starts as a way of improving an organization becomes an all-consuming distraction, a value-destroying set of activities that, even as it becomes clear they will fail, must be completed at any cost.
But there is a better way: becoming an Octopus Organization.
The octopus is everything you need your organization to be in these turbulent times: extremely smart, endlessly adaptable, and highly resilient. Its eight arms work beautifully in concert, but crucially, each arm can think for itself if it needs to work independently. Your organization can work as intelligently and as beautifully as these amazing creatures, if you change your operating model.
Book highlights
A Paradigm Shift in Change Management
The book introduces a fundamental shift from traditional large-scale transformations (which often fail) to a model of continuous, small-scale changes. This new approach treats change as an ongoing process rather than a one-time event.
The Power of Distributed Intelligence
Like an octopus's arms that can think independently while working in harmony, organizations can become more effective by enabling decentralized decision-making while maintaining overall coordination. This creates a more resilient and adaptable structure.
Evolution through Experimentation
The Octopus Organization model emphasizes continuous improvement through small experiments and rapid learning, leveraging internal capabilities (talent, relationships, workflows) and responding to external forces (technology, customer needs). This approach delivers meaningful results in months rather than years.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Drawing from their extensive experience guiding hundreds of global enterprises through digital transformation, Amazon Web Services (AWS) executives, Phil Le-Brun and Jana Werner, introduce a groundbreaking approach to organizational change.
In this practical playbook, Phil and Jana share insights and real-world examples of how organizations can break free from rigid, outdated change models. Whether you're a C-suite executive or a transformation leader, their manual offers concrete strategies and actionable frameworks to help your organization become more adaptive and customer-focused in today's rapidly evolving business landscape.
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Endorsements
"A refreshingly practical and insightful guide full of wit, wisdom, and proven strategies to elevate team performance at any scale."
DEB HALL LEFEVRE
VICE PRESIDENT & CTO, STARBUCKS
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