A series of tsunamis are underway: leaders must learn how to surf the waves

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the rapid changes occurring in the business world, fundamentally shifting the way we work, connect, and collaborate in the modern workplace. Design/methodology/approach – The authors discuss problems connected with the matrix organization. Findings – In today's world, organizations are collapsing and failing in every direction. With few exceptions, the business models that organizations use to manage processes and people date from the industrial era. They were invented for mass‐production of inputs into outputs and the underlying thinking was elitist and hierarchical. Throughout the twentieth century, managers have adjusted the models but they have not changed fundamentally. Originality/value – The paper shows that if attention is not paid to planning for and resolving these issues, there is a strong probability that entire organizations will be wiped out by this interrelated series of tsunamis in the near future.