Business Recoded

SHIFT 5UBUNTU: Recode your organisation

HOW CAN THE BEST TEAMS ACHIEVE MORE TOGETHER?

From passive hierarchies to dynamic ecosystems

Ubuntu comes from Xhosa and Zulu languages, referring to the essential human virtues, compassion and humanity. It was a favourite word of South Africa's Nelson Mandela who reminded people of the power of togetherness, how together they can achieve more.

Consider the changing nature of work and organisations:

• Organisations in which employees perceive meaning at work are 21% more profitable. However, only 13% of employees worldwide feel engaged.
• The ideal team size is between four and nine, with an optimal 4.6 people. Such teams bring diversity but can also make fast decisions and get things done.
• Around 30% of useful collaborations typically come from only 4% of employees. Women are 66% more likely to initiate collaboration.
• Companies where women are at least 15% of senior managers have more than 50% higher profitability than those with less than 10%.
• Companies in the top quartile for racial and ethnic diversity were 35% more likely to have financial returns above national industry medians.
• Migrants make up just 3.4% of the world's population, but they contribute nearly 10% of global GDP. 51% of CEOs of billion-dollar unicorns are migrants.
• 75% of millennials want to work from home or from another location where they feel more productive.
• Of the children entering primary school today, 65% will end up working in job categories that do not yet exist. ...