Chris Argyris

Chris Argyris was an internationally respected educator, theorist, and author. Born on July 16, 1923, in Newark, New Jersey, Chris Argyris dedicated his life to the study of motivation, learning, and change. He attended Harvard University and received his PhD in psychology in 1951.

Argyris was a professor at Harvard Business School for 20 years. During that time, he developed his seminal theories of “double loop learning” and “ladder of inference”. He is best known for his research into why some organizations don’t adapt and grow while others do. His work focused on the role of learning within an organization’s structure and culture, and how this can be managed and cultivated to produce positive results.

Argyris' most renowned books are “Organizational Learning”, “Organizational Traps”, and “Overcoming Organizational Defenses”. In these books, Argyris examined how organizations can build and sustain adaptive capabilities, and how to uncover and manage deep seated resistance to change. He was also particularly familiar with how policies, procedures, and mindsets prevent organizations from achieving their objectives.

The driving idea behind Argyris' work is that organizational learning should be more than a mere buzzword; it should be practised continually by top executives, managers and stakeholders. In order to achieve the desired impact of learning, Argyris proposed five basic steps. Firstly, companies should confront their current reality and make sure they have an accurate understanding it. Secondly, they should build an action plan and develop a strategy to implement it. Thirdly, they should make sure that the environment is appropriate for the changes to be made. Fourthly, they should assess the outcomes and results of the alterations they implement. Finally, they should evaluate all the outcomes and results and share the findings of the evaluations with all members of the organization.

In addition to his books and articles, Argyris is remembered for his distinguished academic career. He received numerous awards, including two honorary degrees and awards from the American Psychological Now, the Academy of Management and the International Leadership Association. Argyris completed his last book in 2006, “Power and Influence in Organizations”.

Chris Argyris passed away in 2013 at the age of ninety. He was an inspirational educator who believed in the power of knowledge and change. His work continues to stand as an indispensable source of practical and theoretical insight for studying organizational change and performance.