As organization development evolves alongside institutional practices and insights into human behavior, a big piece of the field is still missing: a set of principles that convey what organizations must do well to thrive. Organizations are adept at identifying specific problems and have at their disposal a host of interventions designed to resolve them, but they operate without broader developmental criteria, or goals, that must be satisfied to preserve companies’ ability to compete and grow. Accordingly, below are 10 principles to guide developmental initiatives within your organization.
10 Principles of Effective Organizations
Lessons from the field of organization development.
August 08, 2022
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Summary.
Organizations are pretty good at solving specific problems as they arise, but many lack a set of criteria and goals to meet in order to maintain their ability to compete and grow. The author identifies 10 research-backed principles from the field of organization development to guide companies: 1) Encourage cooperation, 2) organize for change, 3) anticipate the future, 4) remain flexible, 5) create distinctive spaces, 6) diversify your workforce — and create an inclusive environment, 7) promote personal growth, 8) empower people, 9) reward high performers, and 10) foster a leadership culture.