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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Holacracy summary
Brian J. Robertson
The New Management System that Redefines Management
22 mins
Brief summary
Holacracy by Brian J. Robertson is a business book that introduces a new way of self-organization without the need of hierarchy, promoting autonomy, and accountability. It is a flexible framework that allows companies to adapt and thrive.
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Holacracy
Summary of 9 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 9
In today’s fast-changing world, traditional management structures are obsolete.
In a world of fast-changing technology and remarkable innovation, it’s clear that the 21st century is in full swing. But many of today’s businesses still rely on organizational structures and strategies developed in the 19th and 20th centuries. If the rotary telephone is so out of date, why are we still hanging on to old-school management hierarchies?
This question is particularly unsettling when you consider that today’s most common organizational structures were built around the ethos of predict and control, which is completely at odds with the ever-changing post-industrial age.
The predict-and-control paradigm involves people at the very top of an organization developing strategies that are implemented throughout the rest of the company in a trickle-down fashion. Workers have no flexibility to change the centralized strategy – only the very top tier of management has the authority to decide what needs doing and how to do it.
This approach worked during the heavily-industrialized days of the early 20th century, when textile factories and coal mines were ubiquitous and the economy was stable. But today, it just doesn’t make sense: the modern world is a dynamic place, with great competition, constantly changing markets and rapid technological development. Businesses have to be highly flexible, which is simply not possible within a top-down authoritarian structure.
In order to be flexible and agile, organizations have to adopt management systems that harness the power of every human sensor – the people who monitor the business environment and know how to deal with or communicate relevant changes within it. Since each employee, at every level of the company, has a unique role and perspective, they’re privy to vital insights that top managers simply don’t see. And in order to run a truly dynamic 21st century company, it’s crucial to have as much information as possible.
Predict-and-control organizations don’t make this possible. Top-down management structures stifle feedback and input from anyone lower down in the hierarchy. Thus, most companies simply don’t have the capacity to evolve and adapt in today’s dynamic business climate.
Luckily, there’s a new management model that harnesses the power of every human sensor, bringing the organization in line with the modern world. It’s called Holacracy, and we’ll be exploring it in the upcoming blinks.
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What is Holacracy about?
Holacracy (2015) describes a revolutionary new management system championed by some of today’s most forward-thinking companies, like Zappos and Medium. These blinks explain how authority and responsibility are defined and distributed within a Holacracy – and why this system leads to a more effective and dynamic organization.
Holacracy Review
Holacracy (2015) by Brian J. Robertson presents a revolutionary framework for organizational management that promotes autonomy and collaboration. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- With its practical guidelines, it provides a blueprint for implementing a self-managed system that fosters innovation and agility.
- By drawing on real-life case studies and examples, it demonstrates how holacracy can transform traditional hierarchies, making it both enlightening and relevant.
- The book's refreshing approach to organizational structures keeps readers engaged, eliminating any chance of boredom and providing inspiration for change.
Who should read Holacracy?
- Founders, CEOs, managers and HR professionals
- Employees who feel undervalued within a hierarchical organization
- Anyone who wishes their company were more flexible, dynamic and responsive
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Holacracy FAQs
What is the main message of Holacracy?
Holacracy promotes self-management and distributed authority in organizations.
How long does it take to read Holacracy?
The estimated reading time for Holacracy is several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in 15 minutes.
Is Holacracy a good book? Is it worth reading?
Holacracy is worth reading as it provides insights into a new approach to organizational structure.
Who is the author of Holacracy?
The author of Holacracy is Brian J. Robertson.
What to read after Holacracy?
If you're wondering what to read next after Holacracy, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Theory U by C. Otto Scharmer
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- Think Like a UX Researcher by David Travis
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
- The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber
- Evolve Your Brain by Joe Dispenza
- The Art of Laziness by Library Mindset
- Myths of Strategy by Jérôme Barthélemy