Joseph's "Just My Thoughts"

Leaders delegate, while bosses manage. Organizations that have numerous meetings and extensive reporting are led by bosses, not leaders. Another factor contributing to this phenomenon is that the work being performed is viewed not as a product but as a project. Product work emphasizes customer experience, whereas project work relates to compliance deadlines. Consequently, project work involves many meetings and reporting. Dysfunctional organizations are characterized by excessive meetings, while successful organizations prioritize conversations over meetings. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The phenomenon of making choices that contradict one’s genuine feelings in order to avoid isolation or blend in with others is termed the “Abilene Paradox.” Such paradoxes occur when a group’s choice results in unfavorable outcomes, even as a member publicly endorses it while secretly criticizing the group’s original decision. This situation often arises from individuals’ fear that voicing their discomfort may disturb others, particularly in settings that suppress authentic emotional expression. This underscores the difficulty of effective organizational communication and emphasizes the vital role that leadership plays in any organization. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

A good manager needs to grasp human needs before they can act virtuously. Focusing on morality without addressing desires leads to an authoritarian organization. Authoritarian structures are detrimental because they stifle individual spontaneity. Organizations that suppress this spontaneity face excessive costs and are likely to fall behind in competition. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

A comment system was in place at a United States Forest Service branch with 2,500 employees. The employees were instructed to submit their proposals on page 4 for comment. Two hundred and fifty-two proposals were submitted over four years. In terms of the number of employees, one idea was proposed every 40 years. The change was necessary. Employees were required to submit a brief idea outline via email. In 30 days, the idea could be implemented if there was no response from the designated contact and no legal issues arose. In the first year, 6,000 ideas were generated. A person without creativity may enter the organization, but the organization may destroy creativity. It's more effective to eliminate factors that impede creativity than to attempt to enhance it. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”