Unicorn companies began as small, flexible organizations. They wrote success stories and grew quickly.
Some of them needs to have good leadership and systems to match their bigger size, but it seems some haven't managed this, judging by recent incidents.
There are problems like leaders behaving badly, selling stocks, and drinking at work. It's like they have an adult's body but a child's mind. It's a very unstable situation.
On the other hand, old big companies have good systems and relatively stable cultures. But this stability actually makes it harder for them to change. There are many old-fashioned, safety-focused leaders stuck in their ways. They think they have stronger leadership than startups, but that's a mistake.
Their leadership isn't strong enough to overcome their habit of doing things the same old way.
As time passes and the organization becomes more rigid, it gets really hard to make changes, even with strong leadership.
Startups are unstable, while old big companies are heavy and stifling. Is there no good solution? It would be nice to mix the two, but we can't force it.
Startups need slightly stronger leadership and management systems than they have now.
They should look for leaders from big companies who understand and can adapt to the tech industry.
Big companies, on the contrary, should give chances to flexible young leadership.
They should make sure their systems and culture don't block these leaders' efforts to make things more flexible. They need to keep teaching and practicing the flexibility that this era demands, to prevent the organization from becoming too rigid.
However, this should be done slowly and step by step. Many companies fail when they try to change too quickly and end up going back to their old ways. Making real changes is really not easy. Changing organizational culture is even harder. Changing culture can feel like denying the company's identity, which could make the organization lose its sense of self.
If companies take their time, strengthen their leadership appropriately, and manage change slowly, they can develop a mind that fits their body size.
Tags:
leadership
