Organizational Intelligence | 10 Features, Characteristics and Hierarchy

We explain what an intelligent organization is, how the hierarchy works in them and what are its main characteristics.

What is a smart organization?

An intelligent organization is a structure whose components work as a whole, towards the same objective, through the application of systems, programs, policies, and regulations that allow joint progress and that organize the division of work and obligations. Any organization can become "smart", adjusting its methodologies and business philosophy.

Smart organizations generally work with professional growth methodologies, career plans, and usually include promotions and salary increases stipulated by the time of permanence and also by meeting objectives.

Characteristics of an intelligent organization :

Joint and continuous learning

In an intelligent organization, each member has the freedom to explore and experiment, to acquire new knowledge and skills that allow the entire project to move towards its best goal. Growth and continuous advancement are encouraged, through organized training and also independently.

There is no individuality

The members of an intelligent organization do not seek personal merit, but business and joint advancement. All knowledge learned and the capacity achieved is shared and made available to others, thus forming new methodologies that advance the project.

Work climate

Creating a friendly work climate is a fundamental task in a smart organization. Companionship, solidarity, fun and responsible compliance in cooperation are always present values in these entities.

The most important resource: the staff

In an intelligent organization, the most valuable and protected resource is the human. This allows staff to become more committed to the work, and by feeling more comfortable, they present higher levels of productivity, satisfaction, attendance, and availability for training.

Flexible hierarchies

In general rules, smart organizations work with professional growth methodologies, career plans, and usually include promotions and salary increases stipulated by the time of permanence and also by meeting objectives.

Although there is a well-defined organization (heads, intermediate positions, and others), all workers are included in corporate decisions, and every opinion is usually taken into account, opening up multiple communication channels.

Steps to a smart organization

Peter Senge, eminence in the field, indicates 5 steps necessary for any organization to become an intelligent one:

• Personal domain. Know who we are, what we want, what we are capable of doing.
• Mental models. Identify and develop the paradigms that restrict our vision of the surrounding environment, to make work and communication effective.
• Shared vision. Personal visions must be adjusted to the corporate one, to be a source of inspiration and productivity.
• Teamwork. Open dialogue, trust, respect, and cooperation must be fundamental pillars.
• Systemic thinking. Achieve interrelationships instead of understanding tasks as linear phenomena of cause and effect.

Strategic management methodology

In the assigned tasks, even if the hierarchical order of the entity is respected, the leadership of each disciplinary team remains in the hands of the most qualified person in that sector.

In each team, there will be a division of tasks also based on capabilities , so that personal training works in service of the goal sought and as a motivating engine for the constant expansion of knowledge and skills.

Honesty and participation

A characteristic of intelligent organizations is their openness and honesty with regard to financial and organizational reality. All staff have free access to this information, and can thus exercise self-assessment techniques and propose solutions, mechanics, or ideas.

Great adaptability

Through constant research of the relevant market, an intelligent organization constantly adapts to economic, social, cultural, and situational changes.

This includes the application of new technologies, especially in communication, and experimentation with work proposals looking for new ways to follow each day to reach the desired goal with the greatest possible economy and efficiency.

The learning organization

The intelligent organization is defined as the one that learns. Thus, you have the flexibility to modify your own rules if you consider it appropriate, and you seek general progress by experimenting and learning from possible mistakes, rather than looking for specific culprits.

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