Category Archives: Systems Thinking
Democracy in politics and in the workplace
The following is in response to an on-line discussion between several colleagues which started with a post about the possible decline of democracy in the US, and went on to ponder whether that was caused by capitalism: I do think … Continue reading
Gilmore Crosby on Lewin’s Situational Model of Leadership published in the Journal of Applied Behavioral Science!
We’re pleased to announce yet another cutting edge publication, this in the prestigious JABS! Gilmore Crosby has translated Lewin’s writings into a visual model and into a new understanding important and applicable to any leader. Here is the visual: Read … Continue reading
Lewin on Racism: The Methods Exist, The Will is Required
The tools exist to greatly decrease racism in the United States. The time has come to use them. Social Scientist Kurt Lewin (1890-1947) demonstrated that “incorrect stereotypes” (prejudices) are functionally equivalent to wrong concepts (theories),” and could be changed through … Continue reading
Work culture as a restraining or a driving force in change management
A colleague posted about the importance of effective change management in concert with project management. He lives and works in an country with an authoritarian government. According to Kurt Lewin (1890 – 1947), broadly acknowledged as the founder of organization … Continue reading
OD Soup a la Crosby
An OD student recently asked about favorite OD models on a social media site. Here, with a pinch of pepper, is my reply: I appreciate Edwin Friedman for putting leadership into a systems perspective. It’s not a visual model. It’s … Continue reading
Where lies the issue? The individual or the system?
I was recently queried about how to address poor performance by a front line supervisor. Here is my response: Agreed, the issue may lie with the supervisor. In my experience, however, many leap to that, because they don’t know where … Continue reading
Leadership Can Be Learned, Gilmore Crosby’s new book, is out!
The following is excerpted with permission: Introduction Despite all that has been written on the subject, the premise of this book is that leadership is poorly understood because human systems are poorly under- stood. Like the paradigms of old, which … Continue reading
Matrixed Work, Authority & Hierarchy
I recently posted this to an OD group: I wrote this in the middle of the night last night, not specifically as a response to this string, but it is relevant. I was actually stimulated by my search, with the … Continue reading
T-Groups Applied to Industry
Generative Power
The following is an excerpt is from Chris Crosby’s upcoming book: Organization Alignment: Authority, Power, and Results Generative Power The intersection between authority, power, and love is where you will find a critical ingredient as to whether your organization is … Continue reading