As we work together, we influence each other to change direction. Our procedures capture our 'collective stated thoughts'. Our collective statements may help pull us into our future or chain us to our past.
Our attention to procedures can optimize our performance.
If our actions (as an organization) are simple repeating patterns of long duration then top down control works -- until something in our external situation changes.
If our actions ... repeat patterns of short duration then control at the point of the action is required. So, when the external situation changes then our actions (as members of our organization) change -- ASAP.
If we state our procedures poorly then our procedures add to the complexity. Peer to peer communication and coordination become the keys to updating our procedures. This kind of updating may be useful or useless.
Sports teams (as a similar organization) help us define our own action and complex organization. Sports teams have rules, a game plan, and a shared purpose. The shared purpose is to 'cooperate as individuals to support our team and compete as a team to win more points than the other team'.
Different sports have different rules (procedures). If I play on a baseball team then I bat and catch the ball. If I play on a football team then I block and tackle the other team's players.
Our game plan, in football, is more complex than our game plan in baseball. However, in both games -- when the situation demands an immediate response then I must act immediately. In a similar manner, if I play a role in our organization and we are to propose our collective then our analysis will navigate through three phases. Each phase calls for different patterns of interactions, links, and roles.
If our organization has the time then we must:
1. Clarify our unifying purpose
2. Expand our list of problem statements
3. Expand our list of solution statements.
When we present our statements to the 'money men' (who must fund our proposal) then we must summarize our above collective statements and ask them to endorse the money for our required resources. When the rules of our game change and we restructure then, as a leader, I must intervene.
If our organization is confused, frustrated, and in-conflict then we are likely to pinpoint each other -- as the 'identified problem'.
But, if I am to act as a leader then I must re-direct our actions into a more useful direction.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
I agree with this summary, but to a point. I definitely agree with the fact that there has to be some type of unifying purpose or goal, because everyone or most people have to be on board to make some type of progress towards that goal. Plus, without a purpose or goal, why even form a group in the first place?!
I also agree that people in an organization need to list problems and possible solutions to those problems, because that gives the people in the organization direction and purpose which a true leader can foster.
The summary on this website states, “Our attention to procedures can optimize our performance,” but in my opinion, not always. Sometimes, too many procedures foster micromanagement and a lot of red tape that eventually stalls or impedes the group effort. In my opinion, the functioning of groups and people is not static, but ever changing. While I agree procedures foster structure and organization, too many procedures or rigid alliance on too many procedures can hurt an organization in some instances and the organization spends more time on creating procedures to alleviate a problem rather than just trying to fix the problem. Also, the financial aspect of creating, maintaining, and revising excessive procedures would certainly have an effect on that organization and or group.
This summary reminds me of the age old question regarding whether it is better to live in a good dictatorship or a bad democracy. Regardless of the politics going on; A good leader has to be willing to listen to everyone he is involved with and a still keep them focused on a set goal. As an adminstrator in a public school system, one cannot always be surrounded by people of their own choosing. Because of that, there is a constant need to be creative in dealing with all types of people. Money isn't always the cure. Confidence and a clearly thought out plan backed by research can be the quickest way for a leader to bring in a group of assorted opinions and still become effective.
Post a Comment