So yesterday I had a little bit of rant about hierarchical or Taylorist management styles. My frustration was more around how a system or organisation that is structured like that is unable to adapt to unique situations. It’s built for the routine, and stifles different or innovative work.
Another aspect of this management style is how it fails to recognise that autonomy and flexibility are key to people enjoying their job.
For example, a friend of mine needed to pick up documents for himself during his work day. Despite it being urgent, his manager did not let him leave for the 15min it would have taken to pick them up. This friend is also subject to overly strict work start times and a rigorously structured environment.
And he’s now planning to leave the company.
For another company that offers flexitime and work autonomy.
On the other hand, my brother is working at a company that allows him the freedom that he needs. Some days he’s allowed to work at home, and if he’s late it’s okay, as long as he gets his work done. And he loves it
In the Taylorist approach, losing an employee was not a worry. Another one could take their place in a day.
But an employee these days is so much more valuable. They’ve understood how the company works, they’ve built up a rapport with the client and they have specific knowledge of the job.
So they’re much more costly and difficult to replace.
Allowing flexibility might seem less productive in the moment. But ultimately, a unhappy employee is likely to leave. And that’s going to result in a far greater loss of productivity.
Image is of a Korean takeout place that I ate ate tonight. I thought it fitting, given the big North Korea meeting today. And the fact that their dictator runs a pretty hectic Taylorist setup
Blog: 219/365
Song of the day: Guiding Light – Muse