Bureaucracy is pervading our mindset so much that when we are faced with a problem, our first reaction is to add another layer of bureaucracy.
Take the Enron scandal for example. What was the reaction? A book of new rules, also known as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Voted by 99% of representatives and senators.
Add controls, permissions to ask before doing anything. Is that safer? That’s not sure at all. Is it stifling companies? That’s pretty sure – all the companies that can are fleeing the US stock markets to avoid the additional bureaucracy.
Anyone working on technical risk knows that adding new safety systems necessarily adds new risks. It introduces additional complexity, new types of failures. It generally lowers reliability. It often makes sure the widget does not work even if it could.
So, what’s the solution?
Bureaucratic approaches rely on removing the responsibility, bringing it higher in the hierarchy, splitting it between people looking at each other suspiciously. They rely on permissions to be asked before doing anything.
Make people irresponsible and they will certainly behave so.
The solution is to make people responsible. Entrepreneurs. Foster taking initiatives without asking for permission first. Give authority and accountability as close to the ground you can. Encourage people to multiply the value they create for the organization.
Let’s aim to remove everyday one bureaucratic itch in the organization. Within a few weeks you’ll see the difference. And more happy people that will be easier to retain in your influence zone!
Management was tweaking the process to gain efficiency. That was a hands-on, hence dirty job. Reserved for young people or people that could not get promoted.