Article by Charles Handy on how elephants, fleas, and federalism offer a promising and practical way forward for organizations. Handy begins the article discussing the difference between elephants and fleas, and how they have a symbiotic relationship. He explains how elephants signify established organizations in the business, government, or voluntary sector. The "second and different" future of such organizations is dependent, according to Handy, on what he calls fleas (or New Alchemists), the independent and creative individuals who will, increasingly, move outside organizations to work and shape their innovation. This group also includes small independent businesses or community organizations. Handy deduces that, in a perfect organizational world, importing fleas would be unnecessary, as elephant organizations would function as federations of fleas. Handy therefore proposes the concept of federalism as a solution, and for federalism to work for elephants and fleas, the concept of “twin citizenship,” having loyalties to one’s particular group and the larger collective, is necessary as it creates a mutually supportive federation of elephants and fleas.
Handy, Charles B Leader to leader guide Federalism - theory & application Executive Forum
Source
Article by Charles Handy on how elephants, fleas, and federalism offer a promising and practical way forward for organizations, 2002; Charles Handy Papers; Box 15, Folder 8; 5 pages
If you're wondering about permissions and what you can do with this item, a good starting point is the "rights information" on this page. See our terms of use for more tips.
Share your story
Has Calisphere helped you advance your research, complete a project, or find something meaningful? We'd love to hear about it; please send us a message.
