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  • 2022
  • Working Paper
  • HBS Working Paper Series

Developing a Sustainable High Commitment, High Performance System of Organizing, Managing, and Leading: An Actionable Systems Theory of Change and Development

By: Michael Beer
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:38
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Abstract

This paper presents a theory for developing an adaptive high commitment, high performance system of organizing, managing, and leading. It is a synthesis of my 50 years of action and field research presented in my books and articles. It operationalized and makes actionable the ideas of Lewin and systems theorists. Its features are three organizational outcomes that must be achieved simultaneously, features of the system that must be targeted for change, six silent barriers to change, a governance system for continuous learning, change in large complex systems, and elements of a system that needed to immunize it against ultimate destruction.

Keywords

Organizational Learning; Organizational Change and Adaptation; Leadership; Management Practices and Processes

Citation

Beer, Michael. "Developing a Sustainable High Commitment, High Performance System of Organizing, Managing, and Leading: An Actionable Systems Theory of Change and Development." Harvard Business School Working Paper, No. 23-016, September 2022.
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About The Author

Michael Beer

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More from the Author
  • Developing Strategic Human Resource Theory and Making a Difference: An Action Science Perspective By: Michael Beer
  • Reflections: Toward a Normative and Actionable Theory of Planned Organizational Change and Development By: Michael Beer
  • Making a Difference: Developing Actionable Knowledge for Practice and Theory By: Michael Beer
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