The Next Next Common Sense
Rather than forcing the existing approach, SRI constructed an in- novative bridge—they reframed the problem as one of probabilistic in- terpretation rather than direct translation. This conceptual bridge led to breakthrough applications that eventually evolved into Siri and similar voice assistants. The bridge not only solved SRI’s immediate challenge but created a new pathway that numerous organizations have since traveled. By visualizing organizational challenges through the lens of gaps and bridges, leaders can develop more nuanced approaches to navigation and problem-solving, turning discontinuities from threats into opportunities for innovation. The Grand Canyon Approach Nowhere is the power of landscape imagery more evident than in the concept of the Grand Canyon as an organizational metaphor. Unlike the rigid control of engineered canals or the directionless flow of unbounded rivers, the Grand Canyon provides an ideal middle ground—clear bound- aries that channel energy while allowing for remarkable freedom and adaptation within those boundaries. Think about the Colorado River flowing through the Grand Canyon. The canyon walls clearly constrain where the river can go, preventing it from wandering aimlessly across the landscape. Yet within those walls, the river has tremendous freedom to find its own path, create new channels, adjust to changing conditions, and develop unique features. This balance between constraint and freedom provides a powerful metaphor for organizational design. Organizations that function like ca- nals—with rigid processes and detailed rules—maintain control but sac- rifice adaptability. Those that function like unbounded rivers—with few structures or guiding principles—allow maximum freedom but often lack direction and coherence. Organizations designed like canyons achieve the benefits of both approaches while avoiding their limitations. They establish clear bound- aries through shared purpose, core values, and critical constraints
79
Made with FlippingBook. PDF to flipbook with ease