The Hive Mind at Work: Harnessing the Power of Group Intelligence to Create Meaningful and Lasting Change
Siobhán McHale
HarperCollins Leadership (September 2024)
“That which is not good for the bee-hive cannot be good for the bees.” Marcus Aurelius
In her brief but substantial Prologue, Siobhán McHale immediately establishes a rapport with her reader: “In this book, I will discuss and help you implement the Nine Laws of Group Dynamics I developed over the years, drawing on my knowledge of how bees do it and my experience with how we can harness group intelligence in our human organizations to create meaningful and lasting change,
“What does this have to do with bees? Throughout this book we will explore the relevance of the Nine Laws to businesses seeking change. But before we jump into this subject t, I’d like to prepare you for the journey by explaining how the behavior of bees beautifully illustrates the Nine Laws of Group Dynamics in action.”
Years ago during an interview of John Kotter, I asked him what seems to be the greatest challenge to change agents. He replied, “Changing how people think about change.” I agree with Kotter and also with James O’Toole who once suggested that the strongest resistance to change is usually cultural in nature, the result of what he so aptly characterizes as “the ideology of comfort and the tyranny of custom.”
McHale provides an abundance of information, insights, and counsel that prepares her reader to help achieve — in collaboration with others — these strategic objectives. Each on the list is preceded by HOW TO:
o Harness group intelligence in the service of change
o Map the basic patterns that govern behavior
o Complete the essential groundwork
o Experiment before rolling out the action plan for change
o Tap into the wisdom of the hive
o Avoid the three critical mistakes bees never make
o Overcome obstacles and objections
o Create a powerful “swarm”
o Install the right “hive” infrastructure
o Prepare for distractions and surprises
McHale devotes a separate chapter to each when explaining HOW specifically to achieve it. Her material is research-driven as indicated by the detailed list of notes, references, and citations for each chapter of The Hive Mind at Work. (See Pages 201-233.) I also commend her on her skillful use of several reader-friendly devices. They include dozens of “Figures” strategically inserted throughout her lively and eloquent narratives as well as a set of “Points to Rember” at the conclusion of each chapter.
These are among the passages of greatest interest and value to me, also listed to indicate the nature and scope of McHale’s coverage:
o Nine Laws of Group Dynamics (Pages xv-xx)
o Failing to Obey the Nine Laws of the Hive (7-12)
o Following the Four Steps of the Hive Lens (13-15)
o Map the Basic Patterns That Govern Behavior (21-40)
o Seeing the True Reality of the Situation (35-37)
o Doing What’s Best for the Ecosystem, and, Creating Alignment Around the Change Vision (51-53 and 53-54)
o Conducting Research Experiments (65-70)
o Blowing Up the Bureaucracy (86-90)
o Stepping into the Change Leader Role (95-113
o Countering Objections (121-126)
o Create a Powerful Swarm for Viral Change (135-140)
o Install the Right Hive Infrastructure: Formulating Policies, Processes, and Procedures (153-157)
o Equipping the Group with the Right Tools (163-167)
o Developing the Group’s Change Capability (179-185)
o Conclusion: The Evolving Hive (193-197)
Paraphrasing Marcus Aurelius, “That which is not good for an organization or for a society is not good for its members.”
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Here are two suggestions while you are reading The Hive Mind at Work: First, highlight key passages Also, perhaps in a notebook kept near-at-hand (e.g. Apica Premium C.D. Notebook A5), record your comments, questions, action steps (preferably with deadlines), page references, and whatever you have learned that will be most helpful. Pay special attention to the afofementioned “Points to Remember” at the conclusion of each of the ten chapters.
These two simple tactics — highlighting and documenting — will facilitate, indeed expedite your frequent reviews of key material later.