Learn more about our ongoing "Good Organisations Inquiry" and the first outcomes

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We are constantly developing our Good Work theory further. Interest from researchers and others is highly welcome!

Introduction

GOOD ORGANISATIONS

The Good Organisation inquiry is a pro bono initiative of “engaged scholarship”, in partnership with the University of St. Gallen (a Top 5 European Business School). The aim is to inspire the ethical transformation of organisations, by revising and reforming standards and best practices for responsible business governance and management, as well as leadership education.

The project has four focus areas: a) Foundational research in organizational science and ethics; b) Certification and development of best practices for good organisations; c) Professional qualification and education for wisdom-centric leadership; d) Regulation and policy development for a good economy.

We believe today's world is complex and defies simple answers. Unsurprisingly, recipes for Organisations pursue idiosyncratic aims and must survive in the market. Yet, together, they can also become inspirational and responsible agents of a sustainable and shared prosperity for all. This requires us to move beyond organisational agility, striving for true excellence.


Such “organisational goodness" can be operationalised on three levels, by: (a) the organisation as a virtuous actor in society and ecosystem; (b) the organisation as a container for collective flourishing through community enablement and virtuous practices; (c) the organisation as a trustee for authentic and creative self-expression, personal (moral) development and individual thriving.

Our exploration is focused on bridging philosophy, psychology, economics, political and management science to understand how to craft good organisations that enable a "good society". But what exactly is a “good" organisation? What does it mean to be good, and why? How can we measure goodness? Further, how do organisations become good? What are the most important levers, practices and initiatives to enable collective flourishing? What are those “bad” organisational practices we should abolish right away? Also, what is stopping our organisations to become good in our current economic system? What does all of it mean for leadership? And finally, if we have any answers, how could we stimulate a wider movement for better business?

We believe most transformation in business require courageous leaders to instigate and sponsor change. Hence, we want to engage with and offer our insights to organisational leaders who are willing to experiment and grow themselves and their teams. Our website is intended to be a learning hub that nurtures and co-evolves a shared narrative, offers best practices and supports the development of a virtuous community of leadership professionals.



Here you can find a collection of our books, latest essays and social media posts

Latest Essays and social media posts

Latest Books

ARE YOU A GOOD LEADER? REALLY?!

tbc



We are currently working on the first version of a practical toolkit for leaders to develop themselves and their organisations for good. Watch this space for further updates.

Leaders for Humanity Series

"Leading for good"

We believe today's world is complex and defies simple answers. Yet, rather than increasing our collective capacity for wisdom and critical thinking it seems we have gradually diminished it. Rather than asking deeper questions, we reify efficiency and financial returns. Rather than integrating our learning, we have increasingly siloed knowledge – between academia and practice, scientific disciplines, philosophy and business. Rather than deepening our understanding of the humanities, we have almost exclusively put our trust in technology.

Unsurprisingly, then, recipes for societal and organisational transformation are often fragmented, unethical, or not based on best evidence. At the same time, our challenges are rapidly growing and we need to support the lifelong development of leaders with credible practices to reform organisations and develop appropriate institutions for wider societal change.

In our interview series “Leaders for Humanity” we ask global thought leaders three simple questions: a) What is Good?, b) What is a Good Organisation?, c) How can we become Good, individually and collectively? Our hope is that, over time, these dialogues will help to shape and guide our evolving narrative. 

For each interview you will find pre-readings and transcripts, pointers to further work, and our notes. Hopefully you will enjoy the sessions as much as we do!

Never miss an interview! Just go to YouTube and subscribe to our Good Organisations channel for all upcoming interviews and all our new videos!

Insights for Students of Leadership

THe Good leadership society top 100 best books

Based on a panel of experts, and feedback from the community, we regularly select the 100 most compelling leadership books. Our intention is to provide a list of inspirational readings that can deepen a critical understanding of leadership related topics, in five categories

  • Moral philosophy and business ethics
  • Good Economy
  • Development of Good Organisations
  • Good Leadership Development
  • Business Transformation



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Recent Updates On Our Good Organisations Inquiry & Theory

2021 China Organisational Evolution Forum
EUDAIMOCRACY - ALIVE THROUGH WORK
Teal Around the World
Why TEAL is WRONG. Utopia for Corporate Realists
HR Congress
Talking About a Fifth Revolution
Eco-Leadership Institute
Wisdom in leadership - INITIAL reflections
HR Congress World Summit 2022
Leaders for Humanity and The Future of Work

LAUNCHING GCORPS - WHY THE NEW "TEAL" IS PURPLE (TATW SUMMIT 2022)

At the global "Teal Summit" 2022 we present our latest thinking about a new theory of Good Organisations. At its core is a new purpose for better business: "GoodOrganisations seek to develop our highest human potential in support of the good life and sustainable prosperity of all – carefully developing organisational routines that enable meaningful work, generative and co-elevating communities, sustainable products & services."

WISDOM IN LEADERSHIP (ECO-LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE)

At Simon Western's Eco-Leadership Institute we briefly present our current thinking about a new theory of leadership development, focused on practical wisdom. We seek to integrate traditional skill development, psychodynamics and cognitive development, as well as moral development.

KPMG Board Leadership News 01/2022: The Scientific View. Stop The Suffering: “Good Organizations” Wanted

We have formulated initial hypotheses about “Good Organisations” and “Good Leadership”, building on many of the discussions during our Leaders of Humanity Season 1 interviews.Some of our thinking was picked up by others, including Haufe Group and KPMG.


We are constantly developing our Good Work theory further. Interest from researchers and others is highly welcome!

PhD Research Projects

Our Research Projects

Good Organisation index

We are developing an index to support the measurement, comparison, development and certification of good organisations. We are inspired by initiatives like ECG and bCorp. You can read more about some comparisons of existing rankings in our blog (Economy section).

Contact: Silvio Christoffel

Virtuous and wise leadership

We are actively researching about ethical and responsible leadership development. A lot has been written about ethical leadership, but mostly the concept remains people-centric and ignores the necessity to interact with a wider social and institutional system, and to develop leadership as a systemic capacity.

Contact: Sara Fontanet

Good Organisation manifesto

More to come soon

good organisation toolkit and coaching

More to come soon

A Truly Trans-disciplinary Approach

We strongly believe that our exploration must integrate diverse disciplines in order to generate true insights and have impact - like politics, economics, philosophy, psychology, management science, neuroscience, sociology and anthropology, complexity and system thinking, just to name a few. And we need to bring together academics, consultants and coaches, and experienced practitioners. In case you are interested in joining the group, just send us a note via our contact form below.


Conferences, Interviews and Podcasts

“The world is a dangerous place. Not because of the people who are evil;
but because of the people who don’t do anything about it.” Albert Einstein

CoachingOurselves Fireside Chat
A stimulating conversation with PhilLeNir
Coaching Ourselves: Fireside Chat on Good Organisations
Being Human
Conversation with Richard Atherton
Sparking the Virtue Revolution
Erno HanninkShow #327
Finding Good Companies
Living Room Conversations
Conversation between Rhea and Antoinette
Tackling the Elephant of Performance Management
HR Congress
We are not leaders. because we rule. We are leaders, because we truly care.
Talking About a Fifth Revolution
ING Interview
Otti Vogt leaves ING after 5 years as COO to help building back better
Otti Vogt leavING ING
Trust Rocks
Management for Radicals
Conversation with Michele Zanini and Otti Vogt
Management for Radicals
A Dream
Discussion with Daniela Fehring
What World Would you Like to Live in 2030?
leadershape podcast
Leadershape
The Fifth Revolution
LEADING AUDACIOUS CHANGE
PODCAST WITH MARCUS DRUEN
MANAGING THROUGH RESISTANCE
Oracle Swiss Event
The Robots, HR and Ethical Challenges
my talk starts at minute 8 - and you will hear something about the Borgs and Trust...
Self-Leadership Couch
Gespräch mit Kollektiv Y
Gute Arbeit in guten Organisationen
Never miss out on new videos and interviews! Just go to YouTube and subscribe to our Good Organisations channel for all upcoming interviews and all our new videos!


Case Studies Wanted: if you have suggestions for good organisations, or good leaders - or if you have come across relevant ratings and rankings, or are reasearcher in an adjacent area - please get in touch via our contact form!