Vaill has an innovative approach to organization development (OD), and there are numerous books and articles by Peter Vaill to express his thoughts and ideas. He sees the business climate as dynamic, believes in the need for spiritual strength in the workplace, and knows that lifelong learning is a necessity for effective leadership.

In the management theory of Peter Vaill, he coined the phrase "permanent white water" to describe the conditions managers face today. Managers experience fast-paced changes in an unstable, unpredictable environment, and Vaill teaches how to prepare and change your methods of leading to adjust to the climate. Glean the following about his theory from this guide:

1. Vaill's management theory has its base with an understanding of organization development (O.D.) history.

2. Vaill's theory upholds the importance of spirituality.

3. Vaill leadership and management theory involve lifelong learning.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Understand organization development history, so you know the foundation of Vaill's management theory

Historically, O.D. focused on the importance of human relationships, but changes in management over the last 40 years yielded an O.D. base that believes success comes through aligning and integrating personal and organization goals. Peter Vaill's organizational beliefs are congruent with the integration and alignment principles, because he thinks these principles have abstract organizational goals. With the increased pace of work and a more complex, unstable environment for managers, Vaill believes the foundational elements of human relationships are valid and necessary in today's world.

I recommend: For a brief history of organizational development, navigate to AliveTek and find three foundational studies that led the theories of O.D. The Free Management Library provides an old and new definition of O.D. with further links to even more explanation and definitions.

Address your spiritual foundation to coincide with Peter Vaill theory

In the Peter Vaill articles, you'll find he addresses leadership in high performing systems (hps), and he notices that effective leaders do not know where they are going until they get there. Peter Vaill believes faith eases uncertainty and anxiety of the unknown, so he encourages leaders to navigate 'permanent white waters' by staying focused on the goal while depending on faith and hope. In today's time, material items disappear, but faith remains to give leaders courage to change and see the good in all on a transcendental level.

I recommend: Get explanations and answers about Management as a Performing Art by Peter B. Vaill in an interview with CBS Interactive. Harvard Business School Working Knowledge discusses how spirituality is a focus in today's workplace.

Learn the importance of lifelong learning to leadership skills in Vaill leadership theory

Vaill emphasizes a key point in leadership - willingness to learn. A willingness to learn is a survival technique in an unpredictable environment, and it is necessary to learn how to navigate unpredictable situations in 'permanent white water'. Integrate learning into everyday practice, and see how the ability to adapt and change increases your leadership skills.

I recommend: Powells.com provides great synopses and reviews of Vaill's recognized leadership books. In a leadership article cited in the American Library Association, Peter Vaill discusses what it takes to be a leader.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before incorporating the Vaill theory of management, involve company officials in reading and discussing his books so that the implementation does not come as a surprise.