The Hive Mind at Work - by Siobhan McHale (Hardcover)

About the Book

Learn a new model for understanding how organizations really operate and implement changes that get real results.

Book Synopsis

Learn a new model for understanding how organizations really operate and implement changes that get real results.

With so many forces of change buffeting the business world today, a scary state of flux has replaced any sense of certainty, stability, and familiarity, delivering a wake-up call to make crucial changes happen, make them happen quickly, and make them stick. Traditional approaches to change management fall into one of two categories: Organizations function like machines, where managers pull change levers to "fix" problems with an engineer's mindset (IQ). Or People form social networks wherein individual "influencers" make change happen by developing effective interpersonal relationships (EQ). Neither of these models offer a full picture to what really happens in an organization.

In this groundbreaking new book, change expert Siobhan McHale offers a third option: organizations are complex ecosystems that require a Hive Mind or Group Intelligence (GQ) to bring about meaningful and lasting change. We can learn a lot of lessons from how bees operate:

• Hard work: An individual bee spends its entire 40-day life span gathering food for the hive.
• Teamwork: Inside each teeming beehive an entire community works collectively to achieve shared goals.
• Role clarity: Every bee has a specific job, with the queen, drones, and worker bees faithfully playing their part.
• Resilience: Bees can overcome daunting challenges, including all the parasites, pathogens, pesticides, and climate fluctuations from Maine to Miami and beyond.

See how a hive mindset solves many of the common problems all businesses struggle with today!

Review Quotes

'Efforts to bring about change in the workplace typically fail because they do not address underlying issues. This is a must-read book if you want to learn how to avoid these pitfalls to create meaningful and lasting change.'--JONAH BERGER, Marketing Professor at the Wharton School and bestselling author of Contagious

'In a sea of business books, Siobha´n McHale's The Hive Mind at Work stands out as a game changer, reshaping our approach to organizational change with a revolutionary model based on Group Intelligence (GQ). Drawing inspiration from the collective brilliance of beehives, McHale doesn't just theorize; she provides a practical four-step roadmap grounded in real-world experiences. As someone who values actionable insights, I appreciate McHale's insider stories and her unique perspective as a change expert who has navigated the complexities of large organizations. This book isn't just about understanding change; it's about making it happen. Embrace the hive mindset, unlock Group Intelligence, and transform your approach to change in the ever-evolving business landscape.'--MIHALY NAGY, Founder and CEO, The HR Congress

'In The Hive Mind at Work, Siobha´n McHale presents a powerful metaphor for implementing sustainable change in our workplaces, using insights from how bees operate their communities and applying them to companies and work teams. A powerful resource for change agents and business leaders.'--S. CHRIS EDMONDS, speaker, author, and executive consultant with The Purposeful Culture Group

'Nature is our greatest teacher. Through the observation of nature and understanding that organizations are living, breathing organisms, Siobha´n McHale has developed a proven method that delivers change, faster and with less noise. If you want your change efforts to be successful, you must read this book.'--DR. TERRY JACKSON, TEDx speaker, global transformation leader, and challenger of organizational performance paradigms

'Packed with useful case studies, Siobha´n McHale explains why most change initiatives fail and how the complex ecosystem of change requires a 'Hive Mind' instead of a top-down or linear approach. If you're embarking on change, this book is essential reading to set your organization up for successful change.'--JUDE JENNISON, Leaders by Nature, author of Leading Through Uncertainty and OPUS: The Hidden Dynamics of Team Performance

'Siobha´n McHale has been the executive in charge of change in a series of large organizations. From this 'insider' role she displays a deep understanding of how people behave in groups (as bees do!) and uses this to show us different ways to make change happen. An essential guide for managers, HR professionals, and advisors.'--CAROLYN TAYLOR, Global culture change expert and author of Walking the Talk

'Siobha´n McHale has developed a proven method to deliver change, fast and with less noise. Essential reading for anyone tasked with making change happen.'--GARY HAMEL, Visiting professor, London Business School

'Siobha´n McHale has developed a unique approach to creating meaningful and lasting change that addresses today's complex challenges. An insightful read for leaders seeking to elevate their skills and organizations seeking a competitive advantage.'--DR. KATE BARKER, Global Advisor and Chief Future of Work Officer, NEOM

'Siobha´n McHale is globally recognized for her expertise in change and leadership. This book is filled with her 'insider' stories and her disruptive four-step approach to change. This is a must-read book if you want to learn how to implement successful workplace change.'--PETER F. GALLAGHER, Ranked #1 change management global thought leader 2020-2023 by Thinkers360

'Siobha´n McHale is the genuine article. The Hive Mind at Work is a timely guide for managers, HR professionals, and advisors who want to create real and lasting transformation.'--DR. TASHA EURICH, Organizational psychologist and New York Times bestselling author of Insight and Bankable Leadership

'This book posed a personal challenge to me: Am I really putting into practice the ecosystem ideas I believe in? Do my friends and colleagues really form a hive mind with group intelligence beyond each other? Do our interactions with our customers and allies generate the patterns of change we hope for? Or are we perhaps stuck in group dynamics that are well-meaning but ineffective? Siobha´n's step-by-step process is helping me make change where I need it most.'--JAMES F. MOORE, author of Death of Competition and business ecosystems pioneer

'True leaders understand the need for group intelligence during potentially dangerous transitions. The Hive Mind at Work is an expert guide to developing group intelligence thinking. Excellent book!'--OLEG KONOVALOV, the da Vinci of visionary leadership, author of The Vision Code

'What a joy to read. Great book, great insights, great examples, and super useful and usable. None of us is as smart as all of us and the organizations that can tap into their hive mind will maintain relevance in an increasingly chaotic world. Those who ignore the laws described in this book are destined to go the way of the dinosaur!'--TONY O'DRISCOLL, Professor of business administration and engineering at Duke University

Siobha´n McHale unveils a pioneering model for organizational change, emphasizing the critical role of Group Intelligence (GQ) inspired by the collective and purposeful dynamics observed in beehives. McHale's insights provide a fresh perspective that challenges traditional approaches, offering a comprehensive solution to the complex challenges businesses face in today's ever-changing landscape.--DR. RUTH GOTIAN, Thinkers50 #1 emerging management thinker in the world and author of The Success Factor and The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring

The Hive Mind at Work disrupts the traditional approaches to workplace change management. Siobha´n McHale challenges the limited perspectives of machine-like fixes or social network influencers. Her four-step method paired with real-world examples and action items provides a clear understanding of essential best practices we all can implement. A must read for anyone interested in meaningful and lasting organizational change.--MATT ABRFAHAMS, Lecturer Stanford GSB, host of Think Fast Talk Smart The Podcast, and author of Think Faster, Talk Smarter