Foreword to the Series xi

Introduction to the Series xiii

Statement of the Board xvii

Foreword xxiii

Dedication xxx

Preface xxxi

Acknowledgments xxxix

Self-Diagnosis xli

1. An Emerging Paradigm of Organization Change 1

Organization As Machine 2

Problem with Traditional Approaches 4

Alternatives to the Machine Model 6

Toward an Integrated Framework 7

From the Part to the Whole 10

From the Whole to the Part 10

Emergent Patterns Through Self-Organization 11

Conditions for Self-Organization 11

The Self-Organizing Process 15

No Condition Stands Alone 16

CAS and the Change Agent 18

Summary 19

Method: Self-Organizing Dynamics 20

2. Change Through Connections (Not Top-Down Control) 25

Story: Hospital Merger 26

Entangled Connections 27

No Single Source of Change 29

Leadership and Influence in a CAS 31

Role of Formal Leader 33

Change Agent Role 37

Summary 39

Method: Feedback Analysis 40

Method: Leader As Change Agent 45

3. Adapt to Uncertainty (Not Predictable Stages of Development) 49

Nonlinear Organization Change 51

Story: Unpredictability vs. Need for Control 52

Consulting to Uncertainty 54

No Sequence of Events 55

Speed of Adaptation 56

Change Agent Role 60

Summary 62

Method: Decision Making Under Conditions of Uncertainty 63

4. Emerging Goals, Plans, and Structures (Not Clear, Detailed Plans or Goals) 69

Case: Knowledge Management Firms 71

Planning in a CAS 72

Vision in a CAS 73

Goal Setting in a CAS 75

Structures in a CAS 75

Change Agent Role 80

Summary 81

Method: Self-Organizing Exercise 81

5. Amplify Difference (Not Build Consensus) 85

Story: The Hidden Difference 86

Unbraiding Differences 88

Differences in a CAS 89

Differences and Organization Resilience 90

Differences and Organization Change 91

Change Agent Role 93

Summary 94

Method: Difference Matrix 95

6. Self-Similarity (Not Differences Between Levels) 101

Story: The Hidden Difference (Continued) 102

Self-Similarity in Organizations 103

Scaling 104

Scaling in Organizations 104

Simple Rules 106

Change Agent Role 107

Summary 108

Method: Fractal As Metaphor 108

7. Success As Fit with the Environment (Not Closing the Gap with an Ideal) 115

Story: Focusing on Fit 116

Success As Fitness 118

Performance Feedback 121

Competition and Cooperation 122

Change Agent Role 124

Summary 125

Method: Same and Different 126

8. Self-Organization and the Change Agent: Tips for Thriving in the New Paradigm 131

Story: Just Do It! 132

Self-Organization and Traditional Change Methods 134

Change Agent Responsibilities 135

Entering the System 138

Assessment 139

Intervention 141

Evaluation 144

Skills for a Complexity Approach 146

Summary 148

Method: Reflection Evaluation 149

9. Making Self-Organization a Reality: Evolution in Organizations 155

Work with the Conditions for Self-Organization 157

Conclusion 164

Continuing the Co-Evolution 165

References 167

About the Authors 173

About the Editors 175

Index 179