Arie de Geus spent 38 years on three continents as a line manager at Royal Dutch Shell, and finished his career as the Corporate Planning Director in charge of business and scenario planning.  Since his retirement de Geus has advised organisations of all kinds, has been  published in many countries in several different languages, and continues to be a sought-after speaker.  His 1988 Harvard Business Review article, "Planning as Learning", established him as a leading expert in organisational learning.  Arie de Geus has been a Visiting Fellow at London Business School and adviser to many governments and private institutions.

In this interview he discusses his thoery of organisations, importantly how well run organisations are far more than the sum of their parts.