by James Canada
I always say that if you’re not moving ahead, you’re falling behind.
Why? Because the business world is always innovating. However, a problem exists in most organizations. Overall, they still base their structures on the traditional hierarchies of the industrial revolution.
Back then, owners hired “hands” to work for them. “Bosses” required little more than physical labor from the “workers.” As mass production and technology improved, “bosses” learned that they increasingly needed to hire additional “brainpower.”
The worker was now involved in decision-making processes. This change in the role of many workers continued throughout the second half of the 20th century. “Progress” brought significant changes to the business environment, which greatly influenced the way companies operate today. Over time, though, they were forced to take drastic measures to survive, which included mergers, acquisitions, and layoffs.
Particularly in the last two decades, the pace of change has become exponential, which has required many organizations to make up new rules as they played the game.
Change, change, change! All the changes had a disconcerting impact—at every level—on the people who worked for these companies. However, the employer/employee, leader/follower paradigm continues as the dominant structure in business.
Such a structure creates mistrust rooted in a fear of the unknown.
Fears associated with mistrust in the workplace include:
- Not telling us everything
- Not caring about us
- “This too will pass” attitude
- Career in jeopardy
- Cannot make a difference
- They’re out of touch
- Changes are unnecessary
Do whatever you can to discover if these fears are present in your company. If they are, find ways to dispel them. Doing so will unify your team and lead you to greater success.
James H. Canada is managing partner/CEO for Alliance Technologies LLC, ITEN mentor and author of “Corporate to Entrepreneur: Strategies for Success.” Contact Jim at james.canada@alliancetechnologiesllc.com, 636-734-2337 or www.alliancetechnologiesllc.com.
Submitted 3 years 270 days ago