Holacracy, a self-management system, was adopted by the non-profit organisation, the Social Justice Fund (SJF), with the aim of creating a more equitable workplace. Despite initial optimism, the experiment ultimately failed due to several factors. The lack of a traditional hierarchy led to confusion over roles and responsibilities, causing a drop in morale and productivity. The system’s rigidity and complexity also proved problematic, with staff feeling overwhelmed by the number of meetings and decision-making processes. Furthermore, holacracy’s focus on individual autonomy failed to address systemic issues of power and privilege, leading to feelings of exclusion amongst staff. The SJF’s experience suggests that while holacracy may have benefits in theory, in practice it can create a host of unforeseen problems. Despite this failure, the SJF remains committed to finding innovative ways to promote justice and equity in the workplace.
Go to source article: https://nonprofitquarterly.org/2018/01/09/autopsy-failed-holacracy-lessons-justice-equity-self-management/