2023 Wrapped: Our Top Ten Reads of the Year!

1. Advice From The CIA: How To Sabotage Your Workplace

This classic explores the tactics of organizational sabotage in the 1944 CIA manual, 'The Simple Sabotage Field Manual,' a guide designed to subtly undermine workplace productivity. Read ​here​.

2. To Hell With Corporate Hierarchy Titles​

This blog challenges the elitist affectation of incomprehensible job titles, advocating for a fresh perspective on hierarchy. In lieu of using job titles—largely the norm in today's corporate world—progressive organizations are now opting to replace them with roles. Read ​here​.

3. Feedback At Netflix: 4 Powerful Guidelines

Quality feedback is fundamental to a more progressive way of working, yet in most companies, the most valuable feedback is never given. This blog provides guidelines on how Netflix is trying to master the art—though not easy to follow, the potential is huge! Read ​here​.

4. Musk's 5 Step Algorithm to Cut Internal Bureaucracy at Tesla and SpaceX

There are many things not to like about Musk's management style; however, there are also some things we can all learn from his habits. In particular, his allergy to internal bureaucracy and his method of ruthlessly busting through it, combating complacency. Read ​here​.

5. Why The Command-and-Control Mindset Is Killing Your Company

This post is about breaking free from outdated practices and embracing a new era where engaged, empowered, and happy employees drive success—forging a promised land of high agility, productivity, profitability, and talent retention. Read ​here.​

6. "5 Levels Of Problem Solving": A Framework For (First-Time) Managers

In a self-managing organization, leaders have to let go and give others the opportunity to step up. The '5 Levels of Problem Solving' is one of those frameworks that has the power to immediately change the way you work. Read ​here​.

7. From Politeness to Partnership: Embracing Conflict Drives Effective Collaboration

Here's another gem from Lisa Gill. Tiptoeing around conflicts consumes significant amounts of energy that could otherwise be directed toward innovation, problem-solving, and creating value. Read ​here​.

8. HaiDiLao Hot Pot: Entrepreneurship at Scale

A bit of a long read, but a fascinating story about radically decentralizing restaurant operations, allowing restaurant managers to communicate directly with the headquarters again by removing all the middle management layers. Read ​here​.

9. Intelligent Failures vs. Costly Mistakes: Navigating the Innovation Paradox

According to Amy Edmondson, if you’re not failing, you’re not journeying into new territory—whether as an individual or as an organization. While it’s easier to stay in your comfort zone, progress and adventure are rarely found there. You have to put failure to work. Read Amy's article ​here​.

10. Bypassing Traditional Hierarchy: A Bold, Bottom-Up Movement in the Dutch Police Force

Discover how frustration with top-down management and suffocating bureaucracy sparked a radical bottom-up transformation network, enhancing engagement and innovation within the Dutch police force. Find out more ​here​.

Wishing you a magical Christmas and a Happy New Year! 🎅🎉