Holistic Management meaning

Before defining Holistic Management, let's look at the meaning of the term Holistic. It is not a commonly used term, especially in managerial circles.

Holistic is the adjective of Holism which comes from the ancient Greek hólos meaning "whole". It is the perception of a whole situation. Holism tends to explain a phenomenon as an indivisible whole, the mere sum of its parts is not enough to define it. As a result, holistic thinking is in opposition to reductionist thinking, which tends to explain a phenomenon by dividing it into parts.

Everyone is aware of the divergence of views between traditional or allopathic medicine which treats symptoms and alternative or holistic medicines which look at the patient's totality, his experience and his universe. More and more allopathic doctors are coming to specialize in holistic medicine as well.

The same applies to management. Traditional or allopathic management is not in opposition to Holistic Management, it is even a solid foundation and Holistic Management can be an extension of traditional management, it is broader and more open. But there is no holistic manager who is not first and foremost a manager.

In concrete terms, it means developing something that is undoubtly already here but not considered?

Let's take a simple example.

When you drive your car in a straight line, logic would dictate that you keep your steering wheel fixed, since the road is straight, what is it like in reality, your steering wheel is in perpetual motion, imperceptible movements from left to right that you give intuitively, that don't even pass through your conscious interpretation, worse, you would probably be unable to become aware of the logic behind these movements.

If in the distance you see a green light, imperceptibly, and again without your conscious intervention, your speed will adapt. Curiously, if the light turns orange, you will have time to stop gently.

Conversely, as you approach the light, if it is still green, you will pick up speed, again if the light turns orange. You will have crossed the intersection before it turns red. All of this happens naturally without any sudden and conscious intervention on your part.

For this to happen, however, the rules [here the highway code] and the tools [here the car] must have been practiced at length and be perfectly mastered.

The same applies to holistic management, which requires a very good knowledge of the company's culture and strategy and its technical and human resources. But it adds to this a panoramic vision that observes and feeds off the whole environment, it integrates observations but does not accept single-mindedness. He gives free rein to his feelings, he accepts all questions, but does not freeze any answers.

Let's take two chefs as examples. The first provides a very extensive menu valid all year round. Very hard-working and assiduous, he receives the orders on an electronic tablet and prepares the dishes with care, scrupulously respecting the operating methods that he has gradually developed and optimized. Very busy in his kitchen, he rarely meets his customers.

The second Chef proposes a variation around the local products of the moment, his aspirations of the day and the comments of his customers, it is impossible to know the menu in advance. At the end of the meal, he likes to go into the dining room and collect the opinion of his customers and give them some explanations about his preparations. In his restaurant, the only thing you can rely is the chef's passion for giving the best of himself.

The First Chef perfectly meets the expectations of his restaurant, he is a good cook, he fulfils his mission perfectly, but we wouldn't say of him that he practices "holistic" cuisine.

Would you take the risk of holistic management?

Bert Rand.