Why SERES Chose Teal: A Journey of Motivation and Transformation
In our ongoing exploration of the Teal organizational paradigm, we embarked on a transformative journey in 2028 to understand its core principles of self-management, purpose, and wholeness. Now, as we delve deeper into this path of change, we invite you to discover why SERES, a forward-thinking organization, wholeheartedly embraced Teal.
The decision to transition to a Teal model is not one taken lightly. It challenges the status quo, disrupts traditional hierarchies, and reimagines the very essence of how an organization operates. At SERES, this decision was made with profound conviction, aligning seamlessly with our values and principles of leadership. In this blog, we will illuminate the motivations and reasons behind SERES' choice to embrace Teal.
A World in Flux: The Need for Change
The world around us is evolving at an unprecedented pace. Technological advancements, global interconnectedness, and shifting societal values are reshaping the landscape of business and leadership. In such a dynamic environment, traditional hierarchical structures can prove inadequate in responding to the demands of the modern workforce and the ever-changing needs of our communities.
SERES, like many other organizations, recognized the need for a more agile, adaptive, and inclusive model that could navigate this evolving terrain. Traditional command-and-control structures, with their rigid decision-making processes and limited capacity for innovation, were no longer aligned with our vision for a brighter future.
Empowering Individuals and Teams: A Fundamental Shift
One of the driving motivations behind SERES' embrace of Teal was our deep connection with the notion of leadership and its connection to our purpose. We believe in the collective intelligence and creativity of our team members and recognize that they can be catalysts for positive change when given the autonomy to make decisions that truly matter.
Simultaneously, we were undergoing a significant leadership transition. Our founder and previous executive director decided to step aside, opening new opportunities for leadership within the organization. This shift not only impacted SERES' culture but also demonstrated our commitment to nurturing diverse leadership styles, including those rooted in our local communities.
An Authentic Cultural Fit
As our understanding of Teal deepened, we began to see striking similarities between its principles and what we had already integrated into our Transformative Sustainability Leadership Curriculum. It was as though we had laid the foundation for Teal without even realizing it.
Corrina, our previous Executive Director and founder, stumbled upon the Teal model in September 2018. She borrowed a book by Frederic Laloux and instantly connected with its principles. In her own words, "Teal gives us the structures, practices, and common language to embed SERES' leadership principles and core beliefs into our very DNA. It closes the circle, making transformative leadership as much about who we are as about what we do."
Though we were in the midst of an organizational and leadership transition, both our team and board were unwavering in their conviction to embrace Teal. Initially, there was some hesitancy about how it would work in practice, but as we delved into the pillars of Teal and saw how closely they resonated with our vision of leadership within the organization, everyone eagerly jumped on board.
The journey was bold, but it was fueled by a shared sense of purpose and a profound belief in the transformative power of Teal. Stay with us as we continue to unpack our Teal transformation journey, sharing the challenges we've faced and the insights we've gained along the way. Together, we'll uncover the boundless potential of Teal to redefine the way we work and lead.
