Olaf
@olafstw.bsky.social
System Thinking Enthusiast, Insightful Questioner, Systems-Oriented Organizational Designer
The Ambidextrous Leader: Balancing Efficiency & Innovation
Systems thinkers know: successful organizations need both optimization AND exploration.
My latest piece offers practical ways to master this essential leadership skill with just 10 minutes daily.
open.substack.com/pub/ostoewer...
Systems thinkers know: successful organizations need both optimization AND exploration.
My latest piece offers practical ways to master this essential leadership skill with just 10 minutes daily.
open.substack.com/pub/ostoewer...
The Art of Organizational Ambidexterity: Balancing Preservation and Renewal
I've been thinking about a concept that's consistently surfaced throughout my years working with organizations and that I consider fundamentally important in organizational development: organizational...
open.substack.com
May 6, 2025 at 10:04 AM
The Ambidextrous Leader: Balancing Efficiency & Innovation
Systems thinkers know: successful organizations need both optimization AND exploration.
My latest piece offers practical ways to master this essential leadership skill with just 10 minutes daily.
open.substack.com/pub/ostoewer...
Systems thinkers know: successful organizations need both optimization AND exploration.
My latest piece offers practical ways to master this essential leadership skill with just 10 minutes daily.
open.substack.com/pub/ostoewer...
Beyond Agility: Why critical thinking matters more than methods
In my latest piece, I explore how organizations can move past superficial agile implementations toward environments that foster genuine reflection and psychological safety.
ostoewer.substack.com/p/beyond-agi...
In my latest piece, I explore how organizations can move past superficial agile implementations toward environments that foster genuine reflection and psychological safety.
ostoewer.substack.com/p/beyond-agi...
Beyond Agility to Critical Reflection: A Systemic Path to Psychologically Safe Organizations
A plea for deeper organizational development beyond agile methodologies
ostoewer.substack.com
April 15, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Beyond Agility: Why critical thinking matters more than methods
In my latest piece, I explore how organizations can move past superficial agile implementations toward environments that foster genuine reflection and psychological safety.
ostoewer.substack.com/p/beyond-agi...
In my latest piece, I explore how organizations can move past superficial agile implementations toward environments that foster genuine reflection and psychological safety.
ostoewer.substack.com/p/beyond-agi...
Just published: "Overcoming Organizational Stupidity"
How do power structures breed collective stupidity in organizations, and what can critical thinking do about it? My latest explores this fascinating intersection, with practical tools for leaders.
ostoewer.substack.com/p/overcoming...
How do power structures breed collective stupidity in organizations, and what can critical thinking do about it? My latest explores this fascinating intersection, with practical tools for leaders.
ostoewer.substack.com/p/overcoming...
Overcoming Organizational Stupidity: Critical Thinking as the Key to Systemic Organizational Development
A systems theory perspective on the interplay between institutional stupidity and critical thinking capabilities in modern organizations
ostoewer.substack.com
April 8, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Just published: "Overcoming Organizational Stupidity"
How do power structures breed collective stupidity in organizations, and what can critical thinking do about it? My latest explores this fascinating intersection, with practical tools for leaders.
ostoewer.substack.com/p/overcoming...
How do power structures breed collective stupidity in organizations, and what can critical thinking do about it? My latest explores this fascinating intersection, with practical tools for leaders.
ostoewer.substack.com/p/overcoming...
The Blind Spots of Wisdom: Cipolla's Principles for Resilient Organizations
I've taken Cipolla's fascinating theory about counterproductive behavior (actions that harm both the actor and others) and applied it to organizational systems.
Hope you find it useful!
ostoewer.substack.com/p/the-blind-...
I've taken Cipolla's fascinating theory about counterproductive behavior (actions that harm both the actor and others) and applied it to organizational systems.
Hope you find it useful!
ostoewer.substack.com/p/the-blind-...
The Blind Spots of Wisdom: Cipolla's Principles for Resilient Organizational Development
I've always been fascinated by the hidden dynamics that shape our organizations, and when I first encountered Carlo Cipolla's theory about counterproductive behaviors, it was one of those lightbulb mo...
ostoewer.substack.com
March 18, 2025 at 4:46 PM
The Blind Spots of Wisdom: Cipolla's Principles for Resilient Organizations
I've taken Cipolla's fascinating theory about counterproductive behavior (actions that harm both the actor and others) and applied it to organizational systems.
Hope you find it useful!
ostoewer.substack.com/p/the-blind-...
I've taken Cipolla's fascinating theory about counterproductive behavior (actions that harm both the actor and others) and applied it to organizational systems.
Hope you find it useful!
ostoewer.substack.com/p/the-blind-...
"The purpose of a system is what it does" - Stafford Beer
I've written about how the Viable System Model can transform organizations from rigid hierarchies into adaptive living systems.
Read more:
open.substack.com/pub/ostoewer...
#SystemsThinking #OrganizationalDesign #VSM #Leadership
I've written about how the Viable System Model can transform organizations from rigid hierarchies into adaptive living systems.
Read more:
open.substack.com/pub/ostoewer...
#SystemsThinking #OrganizationalDesign #VSM #Leadership
The Viable System Model: Equipping Organizations for Complex Challenges
From my years in the field, I've repeatedly witnessed how organizations struggle with increasing complexity, and it's almost ironic that one of the most powerful models for organizational design – the...
open.substack.com
February 27, 2025 at 11:11 AM
"The purpose of a system is what it does" - Stafford Beer
I've written about how the Viable System Model can transform organizations from rigid hierarchies into adaptive living systems.
Read more:
open.substack.com/pub/ostoewer...
#SystemsThinking #OrganizationalDesign #VSM #Leadership
I've written about how the Viable System Model can transform organizations from rigid hierarchies into adaptive living systems.
Read more:
open.substack.com/pub/ostoewer...
#SystemsThinking #OrganizationalDesign #VSM #Leadership
🎯 Beyond "We need better processes": A practical guide to seeing your organization through multiple lenses.
New article on why single-perspective thinking fails & how to develop a more complete view.
Read here: ostoewer.substack.com/p/different-...
New article on why single-perspective thinking fails & how to develop a more complete view.
Read here: ostoewer.substack.com/p/different-...
Different Perspectives on Organizations: Why We Need Multiple Lenses
(And How to Use Them)
ostoewer.substack.com
February 19, 2025 at 7:47 PM
🎯 Beyond "We need better processes": A practical guide to seeing your organization through multiple lenses.
New article on why single-perspective thinking fails & how to develop a more complete view.
Read here: ostoewer.substack.com/p/different-...
New article on why single-perspective thinking fails & how to develop a more complete view.
Read here: ostoewer.substack.com/p/different-...
"If You Think Complexity is a Problem - You've Already Lost" 🎯
New article: Why quick-fix approaches to organizational transformation fail, and what actually works.
Read more here:
open.substack.com/pub/ostoewer...
#Leadership #Change #Complexity #BusinessTransformation
New article: Why quick-fix approaches to organizational transformation fail, and what actually works.
Read more here:
open.substack.com/pub/ostoewer...
#Leadership #Change #Complexity #BusinessTransformation
If You Think Complexity is a Problem - You've Already Lost
Why Simple Solutions Make Complex Problems Worse
open.substack.com
February 13, 2025 at 10:04 AM
"If You Think Complexity is a Problem - You've Already Lost" 🎯
New article: Why quick-fix approaches to organizational transformation fail, and what actually works.
Read more here:
open.substack.com/pub/ostoewer...
#Leadership #Change #Complexity #BusinessTransformation
New article: Why quick-fix approaches to organizational transformation fail, and what actually works.
Read more here:
open.substack.com/pub/ostoewer...
#Leadership #Change #Complexity #BusinessTransformation
🤔 Are your agile practices slowly killing your organization?
New post alert! Diving deep into the hidden patterns that turn agile transformations into system nightmares - and how to fix them.
ostoewer.substack.com/p/the-dark-s...
#Agile #Leadership #Systems
New post alert! Diving deep into the hidden patterns that turn agile transformations into system nightmares - and how to fix them.
ostoewer.substack.com/p/the-dark-s...
#Agile #Leadership #Systems
The Dark Side of Agility: What Leaders Need to Know
As I've spent the past years working with organizations on their agile transformations, I've noticed something fascinating: while everyone talks about the benefits of agility, few discuss its hidden c...
ostoewer.substack.com
February 4, 2025 at 8:52 PM
🤔 Are your agile practices slowly killing your organization?
New post alert! Diving deep into the hidden patterns that turn agile transformations into system nightmares - and how to fix them.
ostoewer.substack.com/p/the-dark-s...
#Agile #Leadership #Systems
New post alert! Diving deep into the hidden patterns that turn agile transformations into system nightmares - and how to fix them.
ostoewer.substack.com/p/the-dark-s...
#Agile #Leadership #Systems
🔄 Organizations aren't machines - they're quantum fields of relationships! Read how this paradigm shift transforms leadership & innovation. Fascinating insights from real-world cases.
ostoewer.substack.com/p/the-quantu...
DM me to explore more! #Leadership #Innovation
ostoewer.substack.com/p/the-quantu...
DM me to explore more! #Leadership #Innovation
The Quantum Organization
When Relationships Make Structure Obsolete
ostoewer.substack.com
January 21, 2025 at 4:50 PM
🔄 Organizations aren't machines - they're quantum fields of relationships! Read how this paradigm shift transforms leadership & innovation. Fascinating insights from real-world cases.
ostoewer.substack.com/p/the-quantu...
DM me to explore more! #Leadership #Innovation
ostoewer.substack.com/p/the-quantu...
DM me to explore more! #Leadership #Innovation
🚀 Managing Symptoms or Designing Success?
New post: Why being a great pilot isn't enough anymore. Learn how Enterprise Design beats traditional management.
Ready to transform your org? Check it out:
ostoewer.substack.com/p/enterprise...
DM open for design talks!
#SystemicLeadership #OrgDesign
New post: Why being a great pilot isn't enough anymore. Learn how Enterprise Design beats traditional management.
Ready to transform your org? Check it out:
ostoewer.substack.com/p/enterprise...
DM open for design talks!
#SystemicLeadership #OrgDesign
Enterprise Architecture: Moving from Symptom Management to Systems-Oriented-Design
A Case for a New Generation of Management Education
ostoewer.substack.com
January 15, 2025 at 8:58 AM
🚀 Managing Symptoms or Designing Success?
New post: Why being a great pilot isn't enough anymore. Learn how Enterprise Design beats traditional management.
Ready to transform your org? Check it out:
ostoewer.substack.com/p/enterprise...
DM open for design talks!
#SystemicLeadership #OrgDesign
New post: Why being a great pilot isn't enough anymore. Learn how Enterprise Design beats traditional management.
Ready to transform your org? Check it out:
ostoewer.substack.com/p/enterprise...
DM open for design talks!
#SystemicLeadership #OrgDesign
🌟 When Diversity Meets Systems Thinking
How cultural differences become your innovation superpower.
Check it out ⬇️
ostoewer.substack.com/p/the-power-...
DM me for a chat!
#SystemsThinking #Innovation #OrganizationalLearning #DiversityMatters #LeadershipDevelopment
How cultural differences become your innovation superpower.
Check it out ⬇️
ostoewer.substack.com/p/the-power-...
DM me for a chat!
#SystemsThinking #Innovation #OrganizationalLearning #DiversityMatters #LeadershipDevelopment
The Power of Diversity: Why Multicultural Learning Organizations Are the Future
A Systemic View on Cultural Diversity as Competitive Advantage
ostoewer.substack.com
January 8, 2025 at 11:32 AM
🌟 When Diversity Meets Systems Thinking
How cultural differences become your innovation superpower.
Check it out ⬇️
ostoewer.substack.com/p/the-power-...
DM me for a chat!
#SystemsThinking #Innovation #OrganizationalLearning #DiversityMatters #LeadershipDevelopment
How cultural differences become your innovation superpower.
Check it out ⬇️
ostoewer.substack.com/p/the-power-...
DM me for a chat!
#SystemsThinking #Innovation #OrganizationalLearning #DiversityMatters #LeadershipDevelopment
Evolution of Thinking: Beyond Structures
Just dropped an article on why orgs keep hitting walls despite "innovation" - hint: it's about thinking patterns, not frameworks.
Your org's thinking is either evolving or stagnating. Want to know which?
Read here: ostoewer.substack.com/p/the-evolut...
Just dropped an article on why orgs keep hitting walls despite "innovation" - hint: it's about thinking patterns, not frameworks.
Your org's thinking is either evolving or stagnating. Want to know which?
Read here: ostoewer.substack.com/p/the-evolut...
The Evolution of Thinking
A Systemic Approach to Future-Ready Organizations
ostoewer.substack.com
January 2, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Evolution of Thinking: Beyond Structures
Just dropped an article on why orgs keep hitting walls despite "innovation" - hint: it's about thinking patterns, not frameworks.
Your org's thinking is either evolving or stagnating. Want to know which?
Read here: ostoewer.substack.com/p/the-evolut...
Just dropped an article on why orgs keep hitting walls despite "innovation" - hint: it's about thinking patterns, not frameworks.
Your org's thinking is either evolving or stagnating. Want to know which?
Read here: ostoewer.substack.com/p/the-evolut...
🎯 Hot take: Your org's complexity isn't a bug - it's a feature!
Just dropped an article on why trying to "control" organizational complexity is like catching water with a net (spoiler: doesn't work)
Check it out 👇
ostoewer.substack.com/p/embracing-...
#ComplexityTheory #Leadership #FutureOfWork
Just dropped an article on why trying to "control" organizational complexity is like catching water with a net (spoiler: doesn't work)
Check it out 👇
ostoewer.substack.com/p/embracing-...
#ComplexityTheory #Leadership #FutureOfWork
Embracing Complexity: Why Your Organization's Hidden Dynamics Matter More Than Ever
A Leader's Guide to Navigating Organizational Complexity in Today's Interconnected World
ostoewer.substack.com
December 27, 2024 at 3:36 PM
🎯 Hot take: Your org's complexity isn't a bug - it's a feature!
Just dropped an article on why trying to "control" organizational complexity is like catching water with a net (spoiler: doesn't work)
Check it out 👇
ostoewer.substack.com/p/embracing-...
#ComplexityTheory #Leadership #FutureOfWork
Just dropped an article on why trying to "control" organizational complexity is like catching water with a net (spoiler: doesn't work)
Check it out 👇
ostoewer.substack.com/p/embracing-...
#ComplexityTheory #Leadership #FutureOfWork
🤔 The Solution Trap: Why your organization can't buy its way to success
Tired of frameworks that promise everything but deliver chaos?
Read more on Substack: https://buff.ly/41P8BvZ
Tired of frameworks that promise everything but deliver chaos?
Read more on Substack: https://buff.ly/41P8BvZ
The Solution Trap: Why You Can't Buy Your Way to Organizational Success
A Reality Check on Off-the-Shelf Solutions and Why They're Not the Answer
buff.ly
December 24, 2024 at 3:15 PM
🤔 The Solution Trap: Why your organization can't buy its way to success
Tired of frameworks that promise everything but deliver chaos?
Read more on Substack: https://buff.ly/41P8BvZ
Tired of frameworks that promise everything but deliver chaos?
Read more on Substack: https://buff.ly/41P8BvZ
December 20, 2024 at 6:29 PM
December 13, 2024 at 9:33 AM
December 13, 2024 at 9:32 AM