November 09, 2008

The Organization: One or Many?


"
The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself."

Friedrich Nietzsche
German Philosopher


The entrepreneur in me loves this. Rugged individualist to the end standing against the oppression of the group, etc., etc. However as a business owner I know that you go nowhere alone.

Successful organizations are built on the harmonious, integrated contributions of many while at the same time, the best companies are those that can access the inspiration that only comes from each individual.


So how do we do this? How do we celebrate the individual while at the same time integrating them into the "tribe"?

2 comments :

  1. We are all at the same time individuals and members of groups and in being so we bring the best and worst to each.

    I guess there is a bell shape curve to it with those who absolutely cannot put the needs of a group above their own on one end and those who completely give up their personal identities on the other side, with all the rest of us in between.

    Fortunately the two extremes are small with the "bell hump" large, which is how we get things done.

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  2. "Successful organizations are built on the harmonious, integrated contributions of many while at the same time, the best companies are those that can access the inspiration that only comes from each individual."

    If senior management does not believe this is true, and a lot don't, there is no way things will be "harmonious." But if they do and I mean REALLY do, there are ways.

    It is never easy and the approach much be continually adjusted but you can create an environment that is positive for both the individual and the group.

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