How W. L. Gore empowers individuals and teams
UNIVERSITY OF THE INCARNATE WORD
ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
How W. L. Gore empowers individuals and teams
February 12, 2014
N. C. CHANCE
How W. L. Gore Empowers Individuals and Teams
W. L Gore’s relentless pursuit of continuous innovation, in order to keep its products and the company relevant, competitive, and becoming obsolete; has found success in a lattice management style that has empowered its employees and teams. A style that has worked wonders for the company, it has created a structure that have opened the lines of communication between individuals and teams. Furthermore, facilitated a flow of knowledge that has enhanced the skill base. In the third paragraph of the OD application, it reflects W. L Gore received his inspiration for his management style after reading Douglas McGregor’s management book, The Human Side of Enterprise (Brown, 2011, pg. 225). His intrigue with Theory Y management and the lattice organization system created a love affair that has blossomed for over 50 years. What exactly is the lattice system and how did Gore use it to empower individuals and teams? In an online article for Chron.com, “How Does a Lattice Organization Work?” Lisa Magloff, in describing a lattice organization structure, writes
A lattice organization allows multiple work and career pathways, and lacks the traditional top-down hierarchy. For example, allowing all workers to participate and contribute to development of new projects and allowing workers to work remotely or on flexible schedules. Lattice organizations also allow employees to move laterally through the organization, changing positions so that they can gain knowledge about all aspects of operations (Magloff, L., para. 2).
Gore, enlightened by Theory Y thinking, in which produces better performance, results, and allows people to grow and develop; assigned no authority or managers. He minimized job titles, eliminated chains of commands and
ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
How W. L. Gore empowers individuals and teams
February 12, 2014
N. C. CHANCE
How W. L. Gore Empowers Individuals and Teams
W. L Gore’s relentless pursuit of continuous innovation, in order to keep its products and the company relevant, competitive, and becoming obsolete; has found success in a lattice management style that has empowered its employees and teams. A style that has worked wonders for the company, it has created a structure that have opened the lines of communication between individuals and teams. Furthermore, facilitated a flow of knowledge that has enhanced the skill base. In the third paragraph of the OD application, it reflects W. L Gore received his inspiration for his management style after reading Douglas McGregor’s management book, The Human Side of Enterprise (Brown, 2011, pg. 225). His intrigue with Theory Y management and the lattice organization system created a love affair that has blossomed for over 50 years. What exactly is the lattice system and how did Gore use it to empower individuals and teams? In an online article for Chron.com, “How Does a Lattice Organization Work?” Lisa Magloff, in describing a lattice organization structure, writes
A lattice organization allows multiple work and career pathways, and lacks the traditional top-down hierarchy. For example, allowing all workers to participate and contribute to development of new projects and allowing workers to work remotely or on flexible schedules. Lattice organizations also allow employees to move laterally through the organization, changing positions so that they can gain knowledge about all aspects of operations (Magloff, L., para. 2).
Gore, enlightened by Theory Y thinking, in which produces better performance, results, and allows people to grow and develop; assigned no authority or managers. He minimized job titles, eliminated chains of commands and
References: Brown, D. (2011). An Experiential Approach to Organization Development (8rd Ed.). (p. 225). Pearson/Prentice Hall Magloff, L. (n.d). How Does a Lattice Organization Work?. CHRON. Retrieved from http://www.smallbusiness.chron.com/lettice-organization-work-3846.html Fortune (2014). 100 Best Companies to Work For in America. Retrieved from http://www.money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune Deloitte Review (2011). The Corporate Lattice: A Strategic Response to the Changing World of Work. Retrieved from www.forbes.com/.../corporate-lattice-ladder-leadership-managing