That's Not How We Do It Here!

What's "That's Not How We Do It Here!" about?

• Fable Format: The book is a fable about a clan of Meerkats facing challenges due to environmental changes and internal organizational issues.
• Organizational Dynamics: It explores how organizations rise, fall, and can rise again by balancing management and leadership.
• Main Characters: The story follows characters like Matt, Nadia, and Ayo as they navigate these challenges and seek solutions.
• Core Message: It emphasizes the need for both management and leadership to adapt to rapid changes and ensure organizational success.

Why should I read "That's Not How We Do It Here!"?

• Practical Insights: The book provides practical insights into organizational behavior and change management through an engaging narrative.
• Relatable Story: The fable format makes complex concepts accessible and relatable, offering a fresh perspective on leadership and management.
• Real-World Application: It offers lessons that can be applied to real-world organizational challenges, making it valuable for leaders and managers.
• Engaging and Thought-Provoking: The story is designed to be thought-provoking and engaging, encouraging readers to reflect on their own organizational experiences.

What are the key takeaways of "That's Not How We Do It Here!"?

• Balance of Leadership and Management: Successful organizations need both strong management for reliability and leadership for innovation.
• Adaptability to Change: Organizations must be agile and adaptable to survive and thrive in rapidly changing environments.
• Empowerment and Engagement: Encouraging leadership at all levels and engaging employees can lead to innovative solutions and organizational growth.
• Dual Structure: A dual system combining management and leadership can help organizations handle complexity and change effectively.

How do the Meerkats in "That's Not How We Do It Here!" represent organizational challenges?

• Symbolic Characters: The Meerkats symbolize different roles and challenges within an organization, such as leadership, management, and innovation.
• Environmental Challenges: The clan faces external threats like predators and drought, representing market and environmental changes.
• Internal Struggles: Internal conflicts and resistance to change highlight common organizational issues like rigidity and lack of innovation.
• Journey of Discovery: The characters' journey to find better solutions mirrors the process of organizational learning and adaptation.

What is the significance of the title "That's Not How We Do It Here!"?

• Resistance to Change: The title reflects a common organizational mindset that resists change and innovation.
• Challenge to Status Quo: It highlights the need to challenge traditional ways of thinking and embrace new approaches.
• Cultural Barriers: The phrase represents cultural barriers that can hinder progress and adaptation in organizations.
• Call for Innovation: It serves as a call to action for organizations to innovate and adapt to survive and thrive.

What are the best quotes from "That's Not How We Do It Here!" and what do they mean?

• "The vultures had mysteriously turned from scavengers to killers." This quote symbolizes unexpected external threats that can destabilize an organization.
• "You first learn the rules, then..." It emphasizes the importance of understanding existing systems before innovating or changing them.
• "In the center, we have the group that comes together weekly to talk about what we stand for." This highlights the importance of shared vision and values in driving organizational success.
• "We cannot just settle, each of us doing our daily work or doing it a little better, and hope for the best." It underscores the need for proactive change and innovation rather than complacency.

How does "That's Not How We Do It Here!" define leadership and management?

• Distinct Roles: Leadership and management are defined as distinct roles with different functions and outcomes.
• Leadership: Involves inspiring, motivating, and guiding people towards innovation and change.
• Management: Focuses on planning, organizing, and ensuring reliability and efficiency in daily operations.
• Complementary Functions: Both are essential for organizational success, especially in complex and changing environments.

What is the dual system proposed in "That's Not How We Do It Here!"?

• Combination of Structures: The dual system combines traditional management structures with a network-like leadership system.
• Management for Stability: Ensures reliability and efficiency in handling daily operations and complex systems.
• Leadership for Agility: Provides the agility and innovation needed to respond to rapid changes and new opportunities.
• Integration of Both: The system allows organizations to benefit from both stability and adaptability, crucial for long-term success.

How does "That's Not How We Do It Here!" address the challenges of organizational growth?

• Growth and Complexity: The book discusses how growth can lead to increased complexity and challenges in maintaining efficiency and innovation.
• Need for Structure: As organizations grow, structured management becomes essential to handle routine tasks reliably.
• Innovation and Adaptation: Leadership is needed to foster innovation and adapt to new challenges that come with growth.
• Balancing Act: The book emphasizes the need to balance management and leadership to sustain growth and success.

What lessons can businesses learn from "That's Not How We Do It Here!"?

• Embrace Change: Businesses should embrace change and be willing to adapt to new circumstances and challenges.
• Foster Innovation: Encouraging innovation and leadership at all levels can lead to creative solutions and competitive advantage.
• Build a Dual System: Implementing a dual system of management and leadership can help businesses navigate complexity and change.
• Engage Employees: Engaging employees and empowering them to take initiative can drive organizational success and resilience.

How does "That's Not How We Do It Here!" illustrate the importance of culture in organizations?

• Cultural Resistance: The book highlights how cultural resistance to change can hinder progress and innovation.
• Shared Vision: A strong, shared vision and values are crucial for aligning efforts and driving organizational success.
• Cultural Transformation: Transforming organizational culture to embrace change and innovation is essential for long-term success.
• Role of Leadership: Leadership plays a key role in shaping and transforming organizational culture to support growth and adaptation.

What practical steps does "That's Not How We Do It Here!" suggest for implementing change?

• Create Urgency: Establish a sense of urgency around opportunities and challenges to motivate change.
• Build Coalitions: Form diverse groups that span silos and levels to guide and coordinate change efforts.
• Communicate Relentlessly: Communicate initiatives and successes to build momentum and engage more people.
• Celebrate Wins: Celebrate small and big wins to reinforce progress and sustain motivation for change.