Adaptive Space

“With Adaptive Space, Arena masterfully takes us where few authors have been able to, seamlessly integrating research with application in some of the most respected organizations today. It is a rare treat to enjoy a profound point of view on innovation that is also actionable.”

—Rob Cross, network expert and author of Driving Results through Social Networks

“Adaptive Space provides an innovative and important look at what it really takes to drive innovation and performance in today’s disruptive business environment. There is a lot to learn here.”

—Josh Bersin, Industry analyst, founder, Bersin by Deloitte

“Adaptive Space provides us with a modern-day cypher that unlocks the often elusive and increasingly important world of innovation and agility. The 4D Framework is simply brilliant. Arena seamlessly mixes deep social-science research, with practical solutions into an intoxicating cocktail that goes down smooth while packing an intellectual punch.”

—Greg Pryor, Vice President of Leadership and Organization Effectiveness at Workday

“Adaptive Space is a book that sheds a bright light on the hidden social interactions that exist within every organization. Using the manta, ‘Adapt of Die’ Arena crisply articulates how an organization can positively disrupt itself by enabling adaptive space and facilitating innovative interactions. With vivid examples and a straight forward approach this book is a must read for everyone from executives to individual contributors.”

—Joseph Folkman, coauthor of The Extraordinary Leader and The Inspiring Leader

“A company doesn’t survive over a hundred years without being adaptive. GM is a great illustration of a company in transition yet again. Arena’s book tells how it and other companies are embracing new ideas, new technologies, and new business models. Your company needs to do the same.”

—Thomas H. Davenport, Distinguished Professor, Babson College, Fellow, MIT Initiative on the Digital Economy

“Innovation is a social endeavor. Adaptive Space outlines four different network dimensions to unleash the adaptive potential of an organization, and highlights five principles to enable agility in a rapidly changing world.”

—Kenneth Freeman, Dean at Boston University Questrom School of Business

“Every organization and every business function must answer the question: How do I become more agile? Adaptive Space is a fascinating look at how General Motors and other companies are rewriting the rules of business so they can proactively disrupt themselves. Brimming with research and practical experience, Michael Arena is challenging all of us to disrupt or be disrupted! Drop what you are reading now and make this a must read for your entire team!”

—Jeanne C Meister, coauthor, The Future Workplace Experience

“This book should be on the device of anyone who needs to accelerate and scale agility in large organizations. Michael has masterfully articulated years of experience and results in building agile organizations, and wrapped them in contemporary and futuristic cases and examples. Adaptive Space brings clarity to essential principles of continuous organization adaptability amid disruption.”

—Roger L. Cude, Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Humana, Inc.

“It is rare when science discovers a simple concept such as critical connections. They are so practically powerful, that they resolve the most pressing challenge of our time. Adaptive Space will be at the center of business conversations for the next decade.”

—Robert Quinn, author of bestselling Deep Change

“Michael Arena is what I call a ‘practitioner, thought-leader.’ He personally embodies ‘Adaptive Space’ and has a gift that allows him to clearly synthesize theory and practice and have this fusion make sense to us mere mortals. I highly recommend Adaptive Space…it’s a groundbreaking book that provides a compelling framework and a set of practical tools for creating an agile organization.”

—Michael Dulworth is the CEO of Executive Networks, Inc., the Founder/Chairman of Flerish, Inc. and the author of The Connect Effect

“Benjamin Franklin wrote, ‘Look before, or you will find yourself behind.’ While Russell L. Ackoff wrote an important book entitled, Creating the Corporate Future: Plan or Be Planned For. In Adaptive Space, Michael Arena conveys that ‘looking’ and ‘planning’ are not enough. He argues you must also change the game. You must positively disrupt or be disrupted.”

—Alan Barstow, Director of Organizational Dynamics Program at the University of Pennsylvania

“An engaging and accessible book that combines practical experience with scientific knowledge to yield deep insights into positive organizational transformation. Written by an expert practitioner of the art, Adaptive Space shows you how to tap the invisible network of brokers, connectors, positive energizers, and challengers to disrupt your industry and come out on top.”

—Wayne Baker, Robert P. Thome Professor of Business Administration, University of Michigan Ross School of Business