Still Waiting
I have consulted my horoscope at this point. I am ready for action but forces beyond my control are forcing me to wait. I was hoping there was some cosmic lesson here or at least some indication in the stars. Turns out us Capricorns are supposed to have a fantastic 2019 and just to double check us Dogs are too. So maybe just waiting a bit longer and plan for what is to come is in the way to go.
It has given me time to further think about waiting vs action. As was emailed to me on one of the items I am waiting on, bureaucracy is supposed to take time. But my initial thought is, Is it?
Yes bureaucracy has to take time to check that all basis are covered. That any department has an opportunity to review, comment and have input. These can serve both the organization and either their customers or the general public. Ensuring every aspect is covered serves to avoid the headline grabbing mistakes. Yet, we also always see headlines grabbing mistakes occur. Are we saying, "well there would just be more of them." Or are we saying, "it is impossible to predict everything but having these checks allow larger mistakes to be avoided."
Contrast this with the entrepreneur in me who wants to see action and change. Who understand that mistakes do happen, but iteration and the constant ability to learn from mistakes is the need. Because through this, real change is created. This ability to take some risk for the sense of speed can be a good thing.
So, I simultaneously believe in both of these things. While I tend towards action, I do understand their are institutions that can be served by having deliberate processes. The challenge comes when these intersect. When an innovator, entrepreneur, creative, is slowed down by bureaucracy. How do we build decision making process that empower the right people, that develop sign-offs in an efficient matter, how do we as a society, business, community, individual, not let bureaucracy slow us down.
When I consulted full time, I always tried to push organizations to a lean and efficient decision making process. Accountable for making smart and speedy decisions should be the hallmark of any organization. If done correctly you can increase success while enabling a more innovative future. It is hard for leaders to accept this, but I do view poor decision making and the lack of the ability to make quick decisions as a hallmark of poor organizations and leaders. As I find myself in the waiting game, I continue to know it is definitely one I do not like to play.
It has given me time to further think about waiting vs action. As was emailed to me on one of the items I am waiting on, bureaucracy is supposed to take time. But my initial thought is, Is it?
Yes bureaucracy has to take time to check that all basis are covered. That any department has an opportunity to review, comment and have input. These can serve both the organization and either their customers or the general public. Ensuring every aspect is covered serves to avoid the headline grabbing mistakes. Yet, we also always see headlines grabbing mistakes occur. Are we saying, "well there would just be more of them." Or are we saying, "it is impossible to predict everything but having these checks allow larger mistakes to be avoided."
Contrast this with the entrepreneur in me who wants to see action and change. Who understand that mistakes do happen, but iteration and the constant ability to learn from mistakes is the need. Because through this, real change is created. This ability to take some risk for the sense of speed can be a good thing.
So, I simultaneously believe in both of these things. While I tend towards action, I do understand their are institutions that can be served by having deliberate processes. The challenge comes when these intersect. When an innovator, entrepreneur, creative, is slowed down by bureaucracy. How do we build decision making process that empower the right people, that develop sign-offs in an efficient matter, how do we as a society, business, community, individual, not let bureaucracy slow us down.
When I consulted full time, I always tried to push organizations to a lean and efficient decision making process. Accountable for making smart and speedy decisions should be the hallmark of any organization. If done correctly you can increase success while enabling a more innovative future. It is hard for leaders to accept this, but I do view poor decision making and the lack of the ability to make quick decisions as a hallmark of poor organizations and leaders. As I find myself in the waiting game, I continue to know it is definitely one I do not like to play.
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