Management - The Illusion Of Control
Perhaps it never did, but until the last couple of decades managers enjoyed the illusion of "command and control" in their organizations. I was reminded at a party last Saturday night of just how wide the gap is between what we know and what we do regarding control. I was talking with a manager who runs a help desk organization with several centers in the US and around the world. She told me that her manager expects her to be "in control" of all aspects of the operation.
She's aware, however, that as attempts to control increase performance declines -- creative attempts to solve unusual problems are stifled, the flow of information and ideas among service agents is restricted, enthusiasm wanes.
Human systems aren't mechanical systems that can be "controlled" like an automobile or lawnmower. They can be influenced, shifted, nudged -- but not controlled. If you've raised kids, you know that! So why do managers still try to "control" things?
Based on my experience with hundreds of managers over the past 15 years, as well as managing organizations myself, I suspect that there is a disconnect between what we know (in our heads) and how we respond (from the gut). We often may not even be aware that we are trying to control. One way to build your awareness is to watch what you do when you feel frustrated or when you feel like the others on your team "don't get it." This will help you see if you are trying to control what you should be trying to influence.
As your awareness grows, play with the idea of "nudging" the system instead of attempting to control it. Imagine you are steering a car. Instead of grabbing the steering wheel with both hands and making a hard left, take one finger and gently move the wheel a little. This will be uncomfortable at first, but it's likely to get better results!
Related Tags: leadership, management, performance, culture, strategy, control, execution
Dr. Linda Ford is an expert on corporate culture - that 800 Pound Gorilla that does whatever it wants to in your organization. She is a consultant, speaker, and author helping organizations tame their Gorilla. For free resources to help you tame your Gorilla, visit http://TameTheGorilla.com.
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- How To Prevent Corporate Bankruptcy
As a business owner or someone thinking of starting a business, you're probably aware that the "deck - Do Cricketers Go To World Class Management Schools?
They may hardly be undergraduates, leave alone being graduates, they could well provide today's mana - 5 Common Fallacies About Six Sigma
The reason why many organizations consider implementing a six sigma initiative is due to its promise - How to Deploy Six Sigma in an Organization
One of the problems that businesses and other organizations cope with when deploying a six sigma pro - 5 Essential Employment Documents Your Business Needs
There are plenty of kinds of business documents that a company needs to conform with the law and hel - Nine Golden Rules Of Business Forecasting
1.FORECASTS ARE ALWAYS WRONG : -The truth remains - no one can forecast with 100% accuracy. The tric - A Nice Piece Of Kit
The fabulous Merlin Project Management Software is absolutely vital if you are to effectively - Integrated Safety Instrumented Systems and Distributed Control Systems - Are They a Good Idea?
For those of you who have been entrusted with the task of selecting a safety instrumented system for - Guidelines For Choosing the Right Commercial Printer
Many printers specialize in certain types of printing. Part of what kind of printing a printer does - Finding the Best Affiliate Marketing Mentor
The once-popular idea of grabbing a computer and making a million dollars overnight on he internet s
Most viewed articles in this category:
- A Map Mural for Your Business
Yay! That retail store you've been planning has finally opened its doors and you are officially in b - Attracting Customers Through An Improved Shopping Experience
So many new shopping malls and supermarkets are put up every year. Many more are already in business - "To Oz!": Leading a Resilient-High Achievement Organization
One of my favorite movies is "The Wizard of Oz" based on the book by Frank Baum. The story is about - 5 Critical Items Never to be Included in Cost Benefit Analysis
When dealing with decisions using Cost Benefit Analysis techniques it is very important to follow th - Collaboration and Change
I’m an expert on change and leadership, but my most popular speaking topic this past year, and - Workplace Gap
In your workplace, are you a manager with a smart group of people and they aren't responsive to your - Leadership - The Proper Relationship with Subordinates
In the army, "the men" are kept separated from those known as "the officers." This comes from the id - The 10 Most Asked Questions of Cost Benefit Analysis
When dealing with decisions using Cost Benefit techniques it is very important to follow the proven - Cubicle Space Planning
Space planning is an essential element of any project and efficient planning serves the dual purpose - Why Passenger Surveys are a Transport Operators Best Friend
Public transport operators who already use passenger surveys may not fully appreciate the multiple b
