Artisans and the myth of the future fit organisation

Oast Houses, Great Dixter.

It has always interested my how certain catchy phrases ease their way into conversation unchallenged.

They tend to be warm, cuddly, optimistic and short. They get adopted and shared uncritically, making up their own shallow truth as they go along. They get nicely packaged, and like most addictive substances are superficially attractive but socially corrosive.

The 3 most harmful addictions are cocaine, carbohydrates and a monthly salary

Nassim Nicholas Taleb. Black Swan.

Over roughly the last five years or so, the idea of the "future fit" organsation has entered our lexicon, yet it takes only a moment to realise what an oxymoron it is. "Future fit" people I have no problem with, but future fit organisations?

There are a number of challenges:

Organisations have a natural life cycle like the rest of us. They are brought into being in a fit of inspiration, enthusiasm and optimism by ther creators. The ones who make it through childhood into adolesence burst into the wo…