Do you, as an organisation, want to rediscover yourselves? Then this book is for you.

To turn organisations into “inspired working communities”, Frédéric Laloux is interested in the seeds of tomorrow’s management and its prospects for development. This has led him to look closely at the “Opale organisations”, which he sees as the seeds of tomorrow’s management.

By reading this book, you will learn how a new conception of the company can reconcile work with the deep aspirations of each individual.

To “reinvent organisations” generally refers to fundamentally transforming how businesses and other organisations operate, structure themselves, and function. This concept is closely associated with the work of Frederic Laloux, particularly in his book “Reinventing Organizations.” The book proposes a new paradigm for organising and managing businesses and other entities beyond traditional hierarchical structures and management practices. Here are some critical aspects of what it means to reinvent organisations:

1. Holistic Approach: Reinventing organisations involves looking at the entire entity as a complex and interconnected system rather than focusing solely on its parts. This means considering how culture, structure, leadership, communication, and processes interact to create a functioning whole.
2. Evolutionary Purpose: Laloux emphasises the importance of organisations having a clear and meaningful purpose beyond profit and economic goals. This purpose acts as a guiding force for decision-making and aligns the efforts of all members towards a shared mission.
3. Self-Management: In a reinvented organisation, hierarchical management structures are replaced or complemented by self-organising teams and distributed decision-making. Employees are empowered to make decisions within their roles and collaborate to solve problems.
4. Wholeness: The concept of wholeness involves recognising each person’s individuality and unique contributions within the organisation. This encourages a more authentic and open work environment where employees can bring their whole selves to work and contribute their strengths.
5. Emergent Structures: Reinvented organisations often display emergent properties, meaning that their structures and processes evolve naturally based on the needs of the organisation and the people within it. This contrasts with rigidly predefined layouts.
6. Continuous Learning and Adaptation: Reinvented Organisations embrace a culture of learning and adaptability. They encourage experimentation, innovation, and the willingness to change as circumstances evolve.
7. Transcendent Practices: These practices transcend traditional approaches and emphasise holistic well-being, open communication, transparency, and a focus on collective growth.
8. Teal Organisations: Laloux’s model categorises these reinvented organisations as “Teal” organisations. The Teal paradigm represents a shift from the traditional “Amber” (hierarchical) and “Orange” (results-driven) models to a more evolved and interconnected way of operating.

“The road is long, but as Gandhi said, be the change you want in the world!” Laloux

It’s important to note that reinventing organisations is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Different organisations may implement these principles to varying degrees, adapting them to their unique contexts and challenges. The goal is to create more agile, purpose-driven, and human-centred organisations better suited to the complexities of the modern world.

There is a consensus that a company can only succeed if it is run by a hierarchy that decides its strategy and organises its operations. But this model needs more steam: work is no longer seen as fulfilling, and the current model of growth and over-consumption is depleting the planet’s resources. A new, more fulfilling, productive, and harmonious organisational model is emerging. It’s based on collective intelligence and individual fulfilment through work.

“Management expert Frédéric Laloux introduces a new organisational model in Reinventing organisations. He proposes new ways of running companies by advocating member autonomy and self-governance. It is accompanied by numerous examples and anecdotes from the companies he has personally observed over the years. His scientific and spiritual approach provides a better understanding of the conditions for implementing this new model.

Biography of the author

Born in Belgium, Frédéric Laloux is a specialist in management issues. In 2014, he self-published his book “Reinventing Organizations”, which became a tremendous success and was translated into several languages.