The Rainmaker Effect: Contradictions of the Learning Organization

The belief that rainmakers bring rain is a superstition, but they are able to create cohesion among the people who believe in their powers. Stefan Kühl describes how the rainmaker effect works in the model of the learning organization. Many of the modern management principles that are billed as formulas for success – e.g., clear objectives, employee identification, participation, and continuous learning – fail to deliver on their promises. However, they do have other beneficial effects. The...