When we talk about the new type of organisations we see emerging \u2013 organisations without a hierarchy, that function more as living eco-system \u2013 we often get the question: \u201cBut how do they steer? Without a hierarchy \u2013 how doesn\u2019t it get just an anarchy? Doesn\u2019t people just do what they want to do and not what\u2019s best for the business?\u201d. A fair question! Especially since these organisations often also are successful in their business \u2013 how does it work?<\/p>\n
Before going into trying to answer the question, let\u2019s just imagine playing a football game without a referee. How many of us would cheat? Most of us would probably be very honest, admitting the ball were in or \u201cOK, it did pass the goal line\u201d. It\u2019s everyone\u2019s responsibility to make it a fair game. And how does it work with a referee in the field? Someone who is enforcing the rules of play and being the final decision-maker in the game? If the referee doesn\u2019t notice that the ball went over the line \u2013 would we say something about it? Probably not. It\u2019s the referees\u2019 responsibility!<\/p>\n
With this metaphor as a mirror \u2013 how do you steer a living system? First of all, they all have clear rules of play \u2013 often called a constitution. It describes why the company exist, what they want to create, how they view the world, how they want to run and steer the company. You could say it\u2019s a complete integration of strategy, governance model and leadership culture. It gives direction on how to run processes, how to take decisions. And it\u2019s non-negotiable \u2013 if you are here you need to accept the playfield. This integrated with high levels of transparency, where everyone has access to most information and everyone can see what the others are doing, creates an arena where entrepreneurship and autonomy can grow, but that requires accountability and co-creation. Everyone is the CEO, everyone is the referee \u2013 everyone is taking responsibility. So governing is someone that everyone does, themselves and others in the system as well.<\/p>\n