Adaptive Organisations in a Complex World
What it really takes to respond—not just react—to change.
Mike Burrows joins me in exploring what it really means for organisations to be adaptive—not just reactive. We go deep into the Viable System Model and why traditional org charts don’t help you navigate complexity.
We talk about:
What makes an organisation deliberately adaptive
How governance, coordination, and autonomy interact
The critical difference between transformation and viability
Practical takeaways for leaders trying to rethink structure and flow
🔍 Key Insight
“Adaptation isn’t about changing direction every quarter. It’s about designing organisations that can continuously evolve while staying viable.” — Mike Burrows
🧭 Why It Matters
Most orgs still chase control in complexity. This conversation flips that thinking. If you're leading in a volatile environment, you'll get a practical lens to rethink how your organisation is structured to cope.
📌 Resources & Links
💬 Join the Conversation
Have you tried to shift your organisation towards adaptability? What worked—or didn’t?
Leave a comment or hit reply. Let’s explore this together.
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Enjoyed this, great first episode! Looking forward to listening to the rest