Discussion- Freedom to Think Creatively
The Stenzel reading is easy to skim because it seems too long for the message. Having read it several times I have come to conclude that there are many gems here for us. Try to spend some time with the deeper management issues.
Discuss the conditions that lead to the "freedom with fences" (the ability to be innovative and creative within certain prescribed boundaries) organization. Can the "fences" stall the very idea the executive seeks to achieve? And if we cannot train to these ideals, but only hire to them, is there a real measure of these talents that translates into the behavior that Stephens seeks?
Readings for the discussion
Reference: Bolman, L. & T. Deal. (2003). Reframing Organizations: Artistry, Choice, and Leadership. 3rd edition. Jossey-Bass©, Inc. (eReserve)
Citation: (Bolman & Deal, 2003: p#)
NOTE: This article is not included in the course reader here because of copyright concerns. It is available as an eReserve (a Content link in the course). You can use the summary if you wish.
Reference: Stenzel, J. (2011). Freedom with Fences: Robert Stephens Discusses CIO Leadership and IT Innovation. In Stenzel, J. (Ed.) CIO Best Practices: Enabling Strategic Value with Information Technology (1-40). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (eReserve).
Citation: (Stenzel, 2011)
NOTE: This article is not included in the course reader here because of copyright concerns. It is available as an eReserve (a Content link in the course). You can use the summary if you wish.
Reference: Wilson , J. H. (2011, Winter). Freedom at Work: Psychological Empowerment and Self-Leadership. International Journal of Business and Public Administration, 8, 106-124. Retrieved from
Citation: (Wilson, 2011)