A real shape shifter can change into into any creature at any time. Sometimes it’s when they feel threatened, sometimes it’s in response to their environment but mostly it’s to use their unique ability give them an advantage. When they change they not only look different they acquire different skills and abilities. And change back again at will.

In 2023 organisation were expected to transform themselves, managers had transferable skills and organisations and people were required to be agile. It now seem obvious that this was leading to the creation of the shapshifting organisation and the shapeshifter manager.

A shapeshifter organisation is innovative and characterised by its ability to change how it operates very quickly. Employees accept working practises are constantly changing in order to keep the organisation competitive and in tune with customers and partners. Managers accept that their roles and responsibilities are fluid and they must be flexible and agile to keep pace with a fast changing environment.

The structure of a shapeshifting organisation is more like that of a project team than a traditional hierarchical structure in that people from different parts of the organisation come together for a one off project and reconfigure into a different shape when the project is completed. The post of project manager changes dependent on who is most suitable in view of the nature of the project.

As was predicted in 2023 organisations that manage their talent, make a reality of their Equality, Diversity and Inclusion polices and take employee health and well being seriously are the organisation are the ones who make the best shape shifters.