Organisation Culture and Behaviour
The Life Cycle of an Organisation
One subject that is dear to me is the life cycle of an organisation. Every organisation has a birthday. It is born out of an idea, a need, a vision or a group of people who believe that something can be done differently. But just like people, organisations grow, mature, experience challenges and, if they are not intentional about renewal, can eventually stagnate or decline.
An organisation’s anniversary, therefore, should be more than a celebration of how far it has come. It should also be an opportunity to ask:
1. Where are we today?
2. What have we become?
3. What is working?
4. What is no longer working?
And what must change for us to remain relevant?
Many organisations that have experienced prolonged stagnation or eventual decline have been affected by a combination of factors. Leadership and governance are often among the biggest pieces of the puzzle.
There is a saying: “The fish rots from the head.” While the “head” is often associated with the CEO or senior management and rightly so, because leadership has a significant role to play, I believe the conversation must go beyond management.
The head of an organisation also includes its Board of Directors or Trustees.
1. What Role Does Your Board Play?
2. Do you know the role of your Board?
3. More importantly, how well is your Board performing that role?
A Board should not simply exist because the organisation’s constitution requires one. It has a responsibility to provide strategic oversight, accountability, governance, stewardship and, where necessary, constructive challenge to management.
A healthy organisation should therefore be intentional about periodically taking stock of its governance structures and auditing Board performance.
1. Are Board members adding value?
2. Are they asking the difficult questions?
3. Are they providing the right oversight?
4. Are they bringing relevant knowledge, networks and experience?
5. Are they helping the organisation think beyond today?
5. Are they holding management accountable while also holding themselves accountable?
Because a Board can either strengthen an organisation or, through weak governance, become part of the reason an organisation loses direction.
Do More . Be More . Be Different
https://wilsenx.blogspot.com
No comments:
Post a Comment