About the author: Jim Whitehurst is the CEO of Red Hat, the largest open source software company in the world. When Jim joined the company, he became enamored with how open source was disrupting the world of traditional proprietary software. In his time here, he has become more than just a believer in the power of open source software. Now, he’s an outspoken advocate for opening up nonproprietary data and technology of all kinds. The Open Organization takes the transformative effects of openness from the community, through the technology, and into the organization at the deepest and highest levels. Jim believes openness must be pervasive to be effective. Before joining Red Hat, Jim held various positions at Delta Air Lines, most recently as chief operating officer. Prior to joining Delta, Whitehurst served as a partner at The Boston Consulting Group (BCG). Today’s leaders know that speed and agility are the keys to any company’s success, and yet many are frustrated that their organizations can’t move fast enough to stay competitive. The typical chain of command is too slow; internal resources are too limited; people are already executing beyond normal expectations. As the pace accelerates, how do you inspire people’s energy and creativity? How do you collaborate with customers, vendors, and partners to keep your organization on the cutting edge? What kind of organization matches the speed and complexity that businesses must master—and how do you build that organization? Watch the teaser of The Open Organization here:
The Open Organization is a must-read for leaders struggling to adapt their management practices to the values of the digital and social age. Brimming with Whitehurst’s personal stories and candid advice for leading an open organization, as well as with instructive examples from employees and managers at Red Hat and companies such as Google, The Body Shop, and Whole Foods, this book provides the blueprint for reinventing your organization Watch the video about the making of The Open Organization here: