Comments on: Empowerment and Office Culture http://www.to-done.com/2005/10/empowerment-and-office-culture/ Working To Live Tue, 28 Nov 2006 15:04:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: H. P. Katzenloher http://www.to-done.com/2005/10/empowerment-and-office-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-5485 H. P. Katzenloher Thu, 22 Dec 2005 11:53:20 +0000 http://www.to-done.com/2005/10/empowerment-and-office-culture/#comment-5485 Although I respect those who make efforts to change office culture, I think it's futile. Large corporations tend to attract people who subscribe to the attitudes which lead to the prevailing office culture. The larger a corporation gets, the more unlikely it is that it innovates. Common office culture and large companies are the natural enemy of innovation, because most of the effort and energy go into the management of the complexity. Employees get distracted from what a company actually does to make profit. Instead they waste time, energy and knowledge sitting in meetings, droning about processes and corporate politics and fantasizing about mission statements. Maybe I'm overly pessimistic. But my advice is, if you can't cope with office culture, don't try to change it - at least not fundamentally. Culture is about people and people are usually not changed that easily. Think about starting your own business. You may find it very relieving, although starting your own business has it's own challenges, but that's another story. Although I respect those who make efforts to change office culture, I think it’s futile. Large corporations tend to attract people who subscribe to the attitudes which lead to the prevailing office culture. The larger a corporation gets, the more unlikely it is that it innovates. Common office culture and large companies are the natural enemy of innovation, because most of the effort and energy go into the management of the complexity. Employees get distracted from what a company actually does to make profit. Instead they waste time, energy and knowledge sitting in meetings, droning about processes and corporate politics and fantasizing about mission statements.
Maybe I’m overly pessimistic. But my advice is, if you can’t cope with office culture, don’t try to change it – at least not fundamentally. Culture is about people and people are usually not changed that easily. Think about starting your own business. You may find it very relieving, although starting your own business has it’s own challenges, but that’s another story.

]]> By: Silvia http://www.to-done.com/2005/10/empowerment-and-office-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-958 Silvia Sat, 29 Oct 2005 00:28:20 +0000 http://www.to-done.com/2005/10/empowerment-and-office-culture/#comment-958 In my country, Brazil, I always complain people do no train any "beginners" properly, no matter the level. By this, I mean to explain the task, see the person doing the task and correct everything till the person learn what is expected. I always do this, and even ask employees to do the same for me when I need. It is like Alexander's Techinic, we think we are aligned but we are not. I keep checking a few times and help the person to improve. It usually works. I also explain the reasons and the principles involved. In my country, Brazil, I always complain people do no train any “beginners” properly, no matter the level. By this, I mean to explain the task, see the person doing the task and correct everything till the person learn what is expected. I always do this, and even ask employees to do the same for me when I need. It is like Alexander’s Techinic, we think we are aligned but we are not.

I keep checking a few times and help the person to improve. It usually works. I also explain the reasons and the principles involved.

]]> By: Britt Parrott http://www.to-done.com/2005/10/empowerment-and-office-culture/comment-page-1/#comment-952 Britt Parrott Fri, 28 Oct 2005 04:28:43 +0000 http://www.to-done.com/2005/10/empowerment-and-office-culture/#comment-952 I'm dealing with that right now at my job and have been trying to have the difficult discussions. It's a challenge. I did engage in some great discussions today and felt so much better. It's too easy to sulk about it and not do anything. People get stuck in their roles and forget that they work with humans. I'll try to create a post once I get through this and write about any lessons I've learned. I’m dealing with that right now at my job and have been trying to have the difficult discussions. It’s a challenge. I did engage in some great discussions today and felt so much better.

It’s too easy to sulk about it and not do anything. People get stuck in their roles and forget that they work with humans.

I’ll try to create a post once I get through this and write about any lessons I’ve learned.

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