Why the Best Organisations Operate as Hybrid Systems – and How to Get There
This article continues our series on the PEOPLE Change Management and Leadership Framework, a system that connects leadership, culture, and measurable performance.
PEOPLE stands for:
P – People-Centric Leadership,
E – Empowerment,
O – Optimise,
P – Purpose-Driven Vision,
L – Learning, and
E – Embedding Change.
In this post, we explore the third discipline – Optimise.
Optimisation is about aligning systems and behaviours so that stability and innovation can coexist.
The best organisations operate as hybrid systems, combining the consistency of the traditional hierarchy with the creativity of an Innovation Network.
The hierarchy ensures stability, compliance, and repeatable operations.
The Innovation Network, on the other hand, is a cross-functional community of volunteer employees who design and deliver change at pace.
When both work in tandem, the organisation becomes simultaneously reliable and adaptable.
This hybrid design depends on:
Clear purpose and guardrails – defining what change seeks to achieve and the boundaries within which it operates.
Voluntary participation – people opt in, bringing ownership and enthusiasm.
Cross-functional collaboration – teams form around challenges rather than job titles.
Short, evidence-led cycles – testing, measuring, and refining ideas quickly.
Structured handover – proven solutions integrate back into the line for consistency.
Within the PEOPLE Framework, optimisation means creating deliberate connection points between operational reliability and innovation.
Leadership’s role is to sponsor the interface between the two – ensuring safety, clarity, and speed.
At The Sixsess Consultancy, optimisation begins with visibility.
By mapping people, process, and purpose, organisations can identify friction points and build systems that flow rather than collide.
Find out how The Sixsess Consultancy helps organisations design and optimise for sustainable performance:
The Sixsess Consultancy About:
The Sixsess Consultancy
Training:
The Just Great People Podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1mLL4YkJ9LEUPsjaZwBLAjoR-h8YEXpu
Keywords:
Hybrid Organisations, Organisational Optimisation, The Sixsess Consultancy, PEOPLE Change Management and Leadership Framework, Leadership and Culture, Innovation Network, Organisational Design, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Continuous Improvement, Change Management, Operational Excellence, Organisational Agility, Empowerment, Leadership Responsibility, Business Transformation, Employee Engagement, Purpose-Driven Leadership, Organisational Systems, Process Improvement, Sustainable Performance