Eric wrote "I would argue that in some ways, we need that hierarchy now
more than ever".
Eric,
>From your post I gather you are concerned about our "de-humanisation" and
offer heirarchies as a possible solution.
Let me share my thoughts with you on this.
>From time immemorial we have been conditioned to view heirarchies
suspiciously. We just do not identify with it. Moreoever organizations
today are not heirarchies. They are networks. If I start viewing the
organization as a complex network of which I am a node, my thought
processes change. I realize I cannot be an island and also realise I have
the strengths and knowledge of hundreds of ppl at my disposal. Moreoever I
also realize my value in the network. It does not matter if I meet
somebody in person. *shades of the internet* as long I am adding value to
the network.
Regarding Leadership training in the network, let me give you my personal
experiences. I learnt tech skills and HOW NOT TO BEHAVE from my first
boss. I learnt the strategies of empowerment from my peers and bosses long
before I started leading teams. I was prepared, because I wanted to move
from being a "client" to a "server" in the network. *pardon that*. I
observed "successful servers" :-) and gleaned the good from them. And told
them about their possible pitfalls.
"A week long training" *I love that, eric :-)* is to collect all the
thoughts, ideas and 3am thoughts one has had about leading and refine
them. Not to make you a leader overnight.
Regarding numbers I agree with you when you say one should start with
leading small teams. Again the network analogy works. The Internet. Its
start, growth, and refinement.
..ram
sundar@sriven.scs.co.in
____________________________________________________________________________
_____________
The Shark - He glides silently , focused on his prey , giving no clue
whatsoever of his presence.
And when he attacks, its usually for a clean , effortless kill.
--sundar@sriven.scs.co.in (Ram Sundaram)
Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>