Evolving Managerial Thinking in the Face of Organizational Change

For organizational change to succeed, it finally seems time for managerial thinking to evolve beyond the mechanistic paradigm and acknowledge the interconnectedness of individual behavior, collective emotions and organizational context.

Frédéric Bagutti
6 min readApr 9, 2024
No Doubt, David Shrigley, 2020

Introduction

Organizational change is a complex process that often challenges traditional managerial thinking. While executives may approach change with concrete plans and structures, the reality of organizational dynamics, influenced by human behavior, can lead to unexpected outcomes. This paper delves into the evolution of managerial thinking during organizational change, highlighting the limitations of mechanistic perspectives and advocating for a more holistic approach rooted in understanding human behavior and systemic dynamics.

Mechanistic Thinking and Its Limitations

Historically, organizations have been viewed as machines, with management focused on control and efficiency. This mechanistic paradigm, popularized by Frederick Taylor as scientific management, emphasized operating rules and hierarchical control, hoping to reduce the…

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Frédéric Bagutti
Frédéric Bagutti

Written by Frédéric Bagutti

Organizational psychologist, executive and team coach, coach supervisor, MSc, DESS, EMCCC INSEAD. You can find me at: www.bagutticonsulting.com