Organizational Culture — Tools only as good as the wielder
‘Beyond
Performance Management’ critiques management
tools - latimes.com (Build 20120215223356) -
“When tools do not work or appear not to the
usual tendency is to blame the tools themselves.
In fact, say the authors, the problem is one of
unrealistic expectations. Managers expect many
tools to solve all their problems. Or they pay
lip service to the concept but do not push the
program all the way through, or they only apply
it to part of the company. Sometimes the problem
lies not in our ignorance but in deliberate
managerial intransigence. For instance, open book
management, which relies on transparency
throughout the organization and widespread
sharing of knowledge by leaders with
subordinates, is one of those concepts that looks
good in theory. In practice, however, very few
companies do this. Why? Because, say the authors,
most leaders cannot shake off their
command-and-control mentality. Despite
protestations of greater empowerment and
democracy, “do what you are told and don’t ask
questions” remains the dominant ethos in many workplaces. ”
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