Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World
How networked organizations can outperform hierarchies in complex environments
"The temptation to lead as a chess master, controlling each move of the organization, must give way to an approach as a gardener."
— Stanley McChrystal
My Review
McChrystal's transformation of special operations forces demonstrates how network organization can outperform hierarchy in complex, fast-moving environments. The book bridges military experience with organizational design principles.
Why It Matters
McChrystal demonstrates that network organization beats hierarchy when environments are complex and fast-changing - the biological equivalent of distributed sensing and response.
Key Ideas
- Complex environments require networked, not hierarchical, responses
- Shared consciousness: everyone sees the whole picture
- Empowered execution: decisions at the edge
- Trust and transparency enable speed
How It Connects to This Framework
Book 7's centralized vs. distributed control and network topology chapters.
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The full Biology of Business book explores these concepts in depth with practical frameworks.