The Spaghetti Organization, a non-hierarchical management structure introduced in 1991, reshaped the corporate trajectory of the Danish hearing aid manufacturer Oticon. Spearheaded by Lars Kolind, this radical departure from traditional corporate bureaucracy aimed to create an almost paperless, knowledge-based enterprise, earning global attention as an early model for flexible, modern business operations.
Early Career and Oticon Transformation
Born in 1947, Lars Kolind earned an M.Sc. in Mathematics from Aarhus University in 1972 and a B.Comm. from Copenhagen Business School in 1977. His early career included roles as executive vice president at Risø National Laboratory and chief operating officer at Radiometer. From 1988 to 1998, he served as CEO of Demant A/S, the parent company of Oticon. During his tenure, he executed a significant financial turnaround and implemented the organizational shift that Tom Peters analyzed in his 1992 book, Liberation Management.
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Following his departure from Oticon, Kolind pivoted to investment and advisory roles. In 2000, he launched PreVenture A/S, a venture capital firm that held stakes in various companies before dissolving in 2009. His current portfolio includes holdings in KeepFocus A/S, Spiir, Impero A/S, and Bookanaut Aps. He co-founded the compliance platform Impero A/S in 2012, eventually guiding the firm to a public offering on Nasdaq First North Copenhagen in 2021. He also holds board positions at Kristeligt Dagblad A/S and Jacob Jensen Holding ApS.
Public Service and Advocacy
Beyond corporate leadership, Kolind has held numerous roles within the Scouting movement, serving as chairman of the World Scout Foundation and as a member of the World Scout Committee. He received the Bronze Wolf Award in 1996 for his contributions. His broader civil involvement includes co-founding several councils focused on social cohesion and national competency. In 2007, he moved into the political arena, running for a seat in the Danish parliament with the Liberal Alliance, though he was not elected.
Authorship and Business Strategy
Kolind has articulated his management philosophies through several publications, including The Knowledge Society—Agenda for Denmark in the 21st Century and The Second Cycle—Winning the War against Bureaucracy. He co-authored Unboss with Jacob Bøtter, a text exploring leadership models for future environments. These works draw upon his experiences as a consultant, academic, and entrepreneur, reflecting his long-standing interest in the intersection of technology, social structure, and institutional design.
Fast facts
- Born: 1947
- Citizenship: Kingdom of Denmark
- Education: Aarhus University, Copenhagen Business School
- Bronze Wolf Award: 1996
- Oticon CEO: 1988–1998
- Impero A/S co-founder: 2012
- Languages: Danish
Questions readers ask
What is the Spaghetti Organization?
It is a non-hierarchical, knowledge-based business model implemented at Oticon in 1991 to remove traditional bureaucratic constraints.
Did Lars Kolind serve in public office?
He ran for a parliamentary seat representing the Liberal Alliance in 2007 but was not elected.
Achievements
- Educated at Aarhus University and Copenhagen Business School
