I’m not fundamentally against hierarchy and division of labour, but often the underlying patterns of thought and behavioural routines prove to be dysfunctional to customer requirements and the fast pace of the market.
Whereas status- and power-based divisional thinking used to make success possible, nowadays such a way of working often paralyses the testing of new processes and the creation of real innovations. Moreover, paralysing “power games” are expensive. The customer is less and less willing to pay for it and finally such a traditional working environment is not attractive for younger generations.
The frequently practised method of consistently separating the decision-making level from the implementation level weakens companies, especially if the decision-making level decides faster than the implementation level can realise such decisions. Besides the fact that this practice is mostly inefficient and ineffective, it frustrates employees. It is precisely in the operational units where implementation energy and commitment are particularly needed and the opposite paralysis results through excessive demands and perceived senselessness.
What is needed now? A discourse! A discourse about WHO and WHAT you want to be as a company – internally and externally. A discourse about how hierarchy and decision-making processes should be meaningful and create value. A discourse about how interdepartmental cooperation can be better organised. A discourse on how employees at all levels and in all areas can work together more effectively, more committedly and more independently. Please feel free to contact me!