The Geek Manner: The Radical Mindset that Drives Extraordinary Outcomes by Andrew McAfee
Revealed in November 2023
We’d not need to run our universities like tech corporations. The tradition, values and norms of academia stand—if something—in opposition to these of tech.
Relatively than “transfer quick and break issues,” our greater schooling motto is likely to be “transfer slowly and construct data and alternative.”
That stated, studying Andrew McAfee’s newest ebook, The Geek Manner, would possibly persuade various of us in academia that we would have one thing to be taught from tech in spite of everything.
McAfee, an MIT professor and writer/co-author of a few of my favourite books, is fascinated with why some corporations mix extremely fascinating working environments with delivering stellar monetary outcomes. The solutions he comes up with all largely need to do with firm tradition. Geek corporations, based and run by those that geek out on creating agile organizational buildings, are outlined by 4 core values: pace, possession, science and openness.
Velocity refers to a bias towards motion and a willingness to make selections shortly. Corporations with this mindset comply with a minimally viable product technique, launching imperfect merchandise (often software program) into the market and iterating primarily based on consumer suggestions.
Possession is an organizational allergy towards distributed duty and CYA. Deep area experience is revered over hierarchy.
Science on this context is speculation testing and data-driven decision-making. Proof issues greater than opinions. The HIPPO syndrome of decision-making—primarily based on the “highest-paid individual’s opinion”—must be averted in any respect prices.
Openness is a willingness to debate selections throughout titles, hierarchy and organizational standing. Dissent is tolerated to keep away from groupthink.
The Geek Manner was written after the pandemic, when most tech corporations (together with ed-tech corporations) had been nonetheless flying excessive. Immediately, tech is a fairly brutal place to work, as layoffs are widespread and morale is low. But the roles may be fascinating for these in a position to navigate the lengthy hours and tech increase/bust cycles. Corporations that prioritize impression over standing and productiveness over seniority may be nice locations to work.
Do universities share any of the core Geek Manner values?
Of the 4 legs of the geek desk that McAfee identifies (pace, possession, science and openness), our greatest shortfall is pace. Whereas some universities are the exception that proves the rule (ASU, SNHU), most universities are constructed for longevity moderately than rapidity.
The truth that we don’t transfer quick in greater schooling is each a characteristic and a bug. Shared governance supplies a mechanism for deliberate decision-making, a construction that hopefully permits us to keep away from the newest fads and fashions.
Nonetheless, within the age of AI, demographic cliffs, public disinvestment, local weather change and new rivals, we in greater schooling would possibly need to take into account transferring a bit sooner.
Studying The Geek Way would possibly present college leaders who need their establishments to take extra dangers (and, in my expertise, most do) with some language, frameworks and tales to assist evolve their campus cultures.
Generally discussing a ebook like The Geek Manner that has nothing to do with greater schooling may help leaders carry some new concepts into the dialog.
What are you studying?
