The Next Next Common Sense
Morning Star, the world's largest tomato processor, exemplifies this phase through its "Colleague Letter of Understanding" process. Each employee negotiates personalized agreements that define their unique combination of roles based on organizational needs and personal capa- bilities, creating fully integrated role portfolios rather than standardized job descriptions. Practical Transition Guidelines For organizations seeking to make this transition, several practical approaches have proven effective: Start with Leadership Modeling : Leaders must first acknowledge and effectively navigate their own multiple roles before expecting others to do the same. When C-suite executives openly discuss how they manage transitions between strategic, operational, and external-facing roles, it creates permission throughout the organization. Create Transitional Structures : Rather than completely disman- tling existing role definitions, create transitional structures like: • Formal "secondary roles" that acknowledge capabilities beyond primary functions • Cross-functional projects that temporarily combine different role aspects • Rotation programs that help people experience different roles
Address Systems and Policies : Review organizational systems that might reinforce single-role identity:
• Revise job descriptions to acknowledge multiple dimensions • Update performance metrics to capture diverse contributions • Modify meeting structures to accommodate role transitions • Adapt physical and digital workspaces to support different role modes
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