The Rise of the Ambidextrous Organization: The Secret Revolution Happening Right Under Your Nose

Research into formerly high performing organizations has consistently found that organizational exploitation drives out exploration. What does that mean? Its simple: As organizations exploit the marketplace by doing what they do best for profit and market share they consequently stop exploring and looking for new ideas; they stop learning in critical ways that could guarantee future success. The solution is the practice of organizationalambidexterity the ability to be simultaneously exploitative and explorative in the marketplace managing both elements in a rhythmic balance and dance that promote both short- and long-term performance and success. Mastering ambidexterity is not easy and takes a certain amount of trust and grit; however for the companies that adopt this model and routinely execute it it is a combination that works.This book has been designed to take you on a journey entertain you with stories educate and stretch your current knowledge and thinking and encourage you to reflect and question the world in which you live. It begins by reviewing the elements of the ambidextrous organization: culture leadership learning and structure. It then addresses the environment of complexity with discussions of the science of complexity equilibrium symmetry structure emergence chaos and governance. The third part presents strategies to help you cultivate an ambidextrous mind by overcoming some hurdles and being authentic. The book closes by describing how to arrive at organizational ambidexterity.About the author: Eric Zabiegalskiis an external organizational development consultant specializing in strategy culture and leadership development with an emphasis on innovation and creativity. He has worked in the private and public sectors with for-profit and not-for-profit organizations locally and nationally. In addition to his work as a consultant Dr. Zabiegalski is a member of the World Institute of Action Learning Board of Directors and a professor at Webster University. He has a doctoral degree in human and organizational learning from The George Washington University.ADVANCED PRAISEDr. Zabiegalski is the rare scholar-practitioner who has the ability to incorporate cutting-edge theories such as complexity psychology philosophy management science action learning and economics with his many years as a successful leader and consultant. This book captures his wisdom and common sense which results in pages of great ideas and even greater recommendations on how the reader can build an ambidextrous learning organization. Its a wonderful book and I highly recommend it to anyone who is seeking to build an organization that can lead and learn in a turbulent world. --Michael J. Marquardt Professor Emeritus George Washington University and Co-founder World Institute for Action LearningEvery once in a while a book comes around that informs and unites us. This is such a book. The author turns what might seem an esoteric business topic into a highly relatable search for balance and inclusion that benefits us all. Dr. Zabiegalski has written what should be required reading for every leader entrepreneur educator and manager. --Timothy Lucente Solutions ConsultantAt the leading edge of a global phenomenon Dr. Zabiegalski is a pathfinder on the subject of organizational ambidexterity. Dr. Erics book places us squarely at the intersection of thought and practice by offering pragmatic approaches to understand thrive and fuel mean­ingful paradigm shifts in this dynamically connected complex world. --Thomas Kleiner Ph.D. Executive in Residence Webster University