Bottom Up Leadership

Deviants Rule the World?

September 23, 2008 – 5:35 am

When will the majority stop being led by the deviant minority?

 

I have become increasingly aware of how many rules have been created in response to actions by the minority that have a major impact on the innocent majority. It is becoming increasingly clear that the majority need to take closer notice of what is going on in order to begin to take action to stop the rot. Instead of penalising the majority we need to get the appropriate authorities to take action against the deviant minority. Instead of passing a law, regulation, rule or new procedure to stop the majority from committing the deviant act the deviants should be confronted in ways that encourage them to stop or be penalised instead of everyone else being subjected to more and more unnecessary controls.

 

Almost every rule is in response to deviant behaviour

 

For example are we really aware of how many rules that impact on our freedom have been instituted through the inappropriate action of someone else. If you travel by air the security processes you need to go through tend to create a great deal of tension for passengers even before they fly. The following are just a few examples of the hassle factors common place at airports:

·         Removing liquids of over 100ml

·         Placing liquids and gels in clear plastic bags

·         Removing computers, jackets, belts, shoes before going though the scanner

·         Severe weight restriction on carry-on luggage

·         Long queues at the check in and security due to the additional amount of information that now needs to be compiled before you fly

 

Although, like most travellers, I want to feel safe and secure in the knowledge that sensible precautions have been taken. However, when I think about the cost of all this additional security created by:

·         the aftermath of 9/11

·         one person had a small ‘bomb’ in his shoes

·         several other individuals were perceived to be about to mix some ‘ordinary liquids whilst on board a flight to make a ‘bomb.

 

Thinking about the bureaucracy that we encounter every day made me wonder just how many other regulations and rules that we all encounter are stimulated by the actions of a deviant few. The frightening answer is that there are a massive number and they are increasing every day as society and organisations fail to effectively deal with those who deviate as it is easier to impose regulations on everyone else.

 

Cost of organisational deviance

 

It is now not surprising to find that the level of complexity in both private and public business has reached a point where most leaders have great difficulty even understanding the impact of the various external and internal rules imposed on their organisation.

 

Government, of all flavours, have a tendency to legislate at every opportunity to control and achieve conformity in most instances where addressing those who had deviated would remove the need for the laws and regulations. A similar scenario exists within most organisations where internal rules have been imposed to control the actions of just a few that have deviated from the agreed way of doing things. Unfortunately the enabling functions of HR, IT, and finance functions have been placed in the unfortunate position of being made responsible for creating most of the rules and regulations. Although there is a need for some regulation, the current magnitude of rules and procedures that have been introduced to ensure effective control and governance is achieved, is excessive.

 

Stopping the rot

 

It saddens me that it often requires the intervention of a consultant to encourage top management to listen to the ideas and opinions of the people who produce the products and serve the customers. You only need to spend a little time with these colleagues to learn of their frustration at the lack of action they experience on the things that they know will improve productivity and service. However, they soon become disillusioned as no one in management appears to want to listen to what they have to say and this results in the opposite of what they want – low productivity and poorer service.

 

The challenge is for bottom-up leaders to connect with these producing colleagues in authentic ways to encourage them to share their views and to engage them in sorting out the issues that make their work more difficult than it should be. The more the productive colleagues feel respected and their contribution valued the greater the opportunity to address the actions of the deviants. Bottom-up peer pressure can be much more effective than rules imposed by management as we are more likely to enrol an increasing number of people willing to take on the challenge.

 

Leading the way

 

The opportunity is for bottom-up leaders to actually provide the kind of leadership that most colleagues fervently wish for, they want a leader who:

• actively engages all colleagues in making things happen to plan
• sorts out the systems, processes, and procedures that create mediocrity
• demonstrates respect and values everyone’s contribution
• provides effective help when colleagues under-perform
• confronts inappropriate behaviour in an enabling way designed to get the perpetrator to improve their behaviour
• encourages everyone to play an active part in achieving the organisations purpose
• recognises, applauds, and rewards truly effective contributions from colleagues
• seeks ways to assist colleagues to maintain and improve their performance capabilities.

 

The unambiguous aim is to enable all colleagues to feel valued and constructively involved in ways that produces the best desired outcomes. This is certainly one way of getting everyone on the same page and working together in ways that negate any dysfunctional behaviour emerging, simply because all colleagues are committed to achieve for their own and others benefits.

 

Encouraging the best from everyone

 

In my next post I will focus on ways to demonstrate value for all colleagues as an effective way of encouraging them to give of their best talent and effort for the good of all.

Tom