Agile Culture : What is it?
Agile culture is, by definition, feeding agility of organisations to create a sense of purpose, and materialize what matters for Life, on a smooth way, by putting common sense at the heart of our activities. It is not a methodology, but it uses methodologies to live the experience, and move forward, together...
Five pivotal principles, 15 pillars, and 100+ practices
that will guide organisations toward a clear view of their ideal of self-organization.
Based on SEMCO STYLE FRAMEWORK
01
TRUST
“When the trust account is high, communication is easy, instant, and effective.” - Stephen Covey
"Trust is the firm belief in the reliability, truth, or ability of someone or something." - Oxford English Dictionary
The act of building trust forms the cornerstone of Semco Style, and thus the starting point of every change is based on this ideology. It is all about treating adults as adults. It’s also about the belief that when people have the right information, they will make the best decisions for both themselves and the organization. A low power gap, horizontal as well as vertical, makes it easier to build trust as well.
As a principle in the Semco Style Framework, Trust is built upon three different pillars: Adults as Adults, Unfiltered Transparency and Reducing Power Distance.
02
EXTREME STAKEHOLDER ALIGNMENT
Extreme Stakeholder Alignment is about organizing with and around the client; far-reaching collaboration with internal and external entrepreneurs; and a smooth alignment between all of these groups. It is about acknowledging and considering everyone’s interests.
As a principle in the Semco Style Framework, Extreme Stakeholder Alignment is built upon three different pillars: Assure Consistency, Outside-in Perspective and Finding Common Ground.
03
ALTERNATIVE CONTROLS
"As we look into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others." - Bill Gates
"Democracy: a system of governance by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives." - Oxford English Dictionary
Being in control is important for an organization: after all, you want to know the connection between intention and action and whether it will lead to results. However, organizations often go overboard on control: limiting room to act and increasing the burden of accountability. They start overcontrolling people to merely create the illusion of organizational control for those at the top of the organization. The unnecessary control systems we use to prevent damage by a small portion of employees winds up harming the remaining who are innocent. This has an adverse effect on mutual trust, on action and, even more importantly, on the results.
As a principle in the Semco Style Framework, Alternative Controls is built upon three different pillars: Autonomy, Busting Bureaucracy and Shared Control.
04
SELF-MANAGEMENT
Whether you call it self-management or not, each employee always has a certain measure of room to act and decide. In self-management, it is about increasing that space, as much as possible, in consultation with employees. For instance, employees in small teams of 10 to 12 people determine for themselves which results need to be achieved and also make sure team members stand by their agreements. They will do what a manager would typically do. In order to achieve this, it is important that people are dependent on each other in a team and set mutually relevant goals; that they hold each other accountable for achieving those goals, but that they also have a keen eye for each other’s development and talents.
As principle in the Semco Style Framework, Self-Management is built upon three different pillars: Peer Power, Talent Development and Culture of Commitment.
05
CREATIVE INNOVATION
"Creativity is a distinctive trait of human excellence in all domains of behaviour. Outstanding creative achievement involves being different, testing known limits, attempting difficult jobs, making honest mistakes and responding to challenge." - Ellis Paul Torrance (Father of Modern Creativity), 1915 – 2003
Creative Innovation is the final principle in Semco Style, and for good reason. Innovation is essential, but also hard: organizations are more inclined to control, monitor and repeat successes. People that work on the other principles of Semco Style will create the fertile ground where innovation can breed. The soil will become even more fertile when you actively create room for innovation, focus on continuous improvement, and encourage entrepreneurship.
As a principle in the Semco Style Framework, Creative Innovation is built upon three different pillars: Creative Space, Continuous Experimentation and Entrepreneurship.
