The Starfish and the Spider The Unstoppable Power of Leaderless Organizations

by Brafman, Ori; Beckstrom, Rod A.

• ISBN13: 9781591841432
• ISBN10: 1591841437
• eBook ISBN(s): 9781101216408
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-10-05
• Publisher: Portfolio Hardcover
• More Book Details
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Summary

Understanding the amazing force that links some of today’s most successful companies If you cut off a spider’s leg, it’s crippled; if you cut off its head, it dies. But if you cut off a starfish’s leg it grows a new one, and the old leg can grow into an entirely new starfish.What’s the hidden power behind the success of Wikipedia, craigslist, and Skype? What do eBay and General Electric have in common with the abolitionist and women’s rights movements? What fundamental choice put General Motors and Toyota on vastly different paths? How could winning a Supreme Court case be the biggest mistake MGM could have made?After five years of ground-breaking research, Ori Brafman and Rod Beckstrom share some unexpected answers, gripping stories, and a tapestry of unlikely connections. The Starfish and the Spiderargues that organizations fall into two categories: traditional spiders,” which have a rigid hierarchy and top-down leadership, and revolutionary starfish,” which rely on the power of peer relationships.The Starfish and the Spiderexplores what happens when starfish take on spiders (such as the music industry vs. Napster, Kazaa, and the P2P services that followed). It reveals how established companies and institutions, from IBM to Intuit to the US government, are also learning how to incorporate starfish principles to achieve success. The book explores: * How the Apaches fended off the powerful Spanish army for 200 years * The power of a simple circle * The importance of catalysts who have an uncanny ability to bring people together * How the Internet has become a breeding ground for leaderless organizations * How Alcoholics Anonymous has reached untold millions with only a shared ideology and without a leader The Starfish and the Spideris the rare book that will change how you understand the world around you. BACKCOVER: Advance praise for The Starfish and the Spider The Starfish and the Spideris a compelling and important book.” —Pierre Omidyar, CEO, Omidyar Network and Founder and Chairman, eBay Inc. The Starfish and the Spider, like Blink, The Tipping Point, and The Wisdom of Crowdsbefore it, showed me a provocative new way to look at the world and at business. It's also fun to read!” —Robin Wolaner, founder, Parenting Magazine and author, Naked in the Boardroom A fantastic read. Constantly weaving stories and connections. You'll never see the world the same way again.” —Nicholas J. Nicholas Jr., former Co-CEO, Time Warner A must-read. Starfish are changing the face of business and society. This page-turner is provocative and compelling.” —David Martin, CEO, Young Presidents' Organization The Starfish and the Spiderprovides a powerful prism for understanding the patterns and potential of self-organizing systems.” —Steve Jurvetson, Partner, Draper Fisher Jurvetson The Starfish and the Spiderlifts the lid on a massive revolution in the making, a revolution certain to reshape every organization on the planet from bridge clubs to global governments. Brafman and Beckstrom elegantly describe what is afoot and offer a wealth of insights that will be invaluable to anyone starting something new—or rescuing something old—amidst this vast shift.” —Paul Saffo, Director, Institute for the Future The Starfish and the Spideris great reading. [It has] not only stimulated my thinking, but as a result of the reading, I proposed ten action points for my own organization." —Professor Klaus Schwab, Executive Chairman, World Economic Forum

Author Biography

Ori Brafman is a lifelong entrepreneur. His adventures include a wireless startup, health food advocacy group, and a network of CEOs working on public benefit projects, which he co- founded with Rod. He holds a BA in Peace and Conflict Studies from UC Berkeley and an MBA from Stanford Business School.

Rod A. Beckstrom is a serial start-up entrepreneur. He founded CATS Software Inc, which he took public and has helped start and build other high tech firms. Rod has served on various private and nonprofit boards. He holds a BA and MBA from Stanford and is a Fulbright Scholar.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 1
MGM's Mistake and the Apache Mystery	p. 9
The Spider, the Starfish, and the President of the Interent	p. 29
A Sea of Starfish	p. 57
Standing on Five Legs	p. 83
The Hidden Power of the Catalyst	p. 107
Taking on Decentralization	p. 133
The Combo Special: The Hybrid Organization	p. 159
In Search of the Sweet Spot	p. 179
The New World	p. 197
Epilogue	p. 209
Sources	p. 215
Acknowledgments	p. 222
Index	p. 225
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