The Geek Method: The Radical Mindset that Drives Extraordinary Outcomes by Andrew McAfee
Printed in November 2023
We might 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.
Quite than “transfer quick and break issues,” our larger schooling motto could be “transfer slowly and construct information and alternative.”
That stated, studying Andrew McAfee’s newest e-book, The Geek Method, would possibly persuade quite a lot of of us in academia that we would have one thing to be taught from tech in any case.
McAfee, an MIT professor and creator/co-author of a few of my favourite books, is keen on why some corporations mix extremely fascinating working environments with delivering stellar monetary outcomes. The solutions he comes up with all largely must 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: velocity, possession, science and openness.
Pace refers to a bias towards motion and a willingness to make selections shortly. Firms with this mindset comply with a minimally viable product technique, launching imperfect merchandise (normally software program) into the market and iterating based mostly 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—based mostly on the “highest-paid particular person’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 Method was written after the pandemic, when most tech corporations (together with ed-tech corporations) had been nonetheless flying excessive. As we speak, tech is a fairly brutal place to work, as layoffs are frequent and morale is low. But the roles will be fascinating for these capable of navigate the lengthy hours and tech growth/bust cycles. Firms that prioritize impression over standing and productiveness over seniority will be nice locations to work.
Do universities share any of the core Geek Method values?
Of the 4 legs of the geek desk that McAfee identifies (velocity, possession, science and openness), our greatest shortfall is velocity. 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 larger schooling is each a function and a bug. Shared governance supplies a mechanism for deliberate decision-making, a construction that hopefully permits us to keep away from the most recent fads and fashions.
Nonetheless, within the age of AI, demographic cliffs, public disinvestment, local weather change and new opponents, we in larger 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 e-book like The Geek Method that has nothing to do with larger schooling may help leaders convey some new concepts into the dialog.
What are you studying?
