Command and Control

In any working environment, employees at all levels face turmoil, change, and unpredictable outcomes. Do leaders truly allow front-line staff to make independent decisions? Looking at the third measurement, the depth of ‘command and control’, we see an area that shows room for improvement.

We asked how often “low level employees make independent decisions” and a fifth said ‘never’ while most said only ‘sometimes.’ These numbers have been fairly consistent going back to 2016.

Is this an area that requires change in the future, or does it simply reflect the nature of the work at most organizations? Remember Sam’s recipe for success? “All these people have to do is what I tell them to do.” Not all organizations and businesses need lower level employees making a lot of decisions on the fly, but that doesn’t mean people shouldn’t feel empowered when applicable.

Sam’s industry – auto parts – requires precision and repetition, not creative choices on the assembly line. But what happens when something goes wrong – when that precision and repetition slips or fails? Are employees in a position to make a quick decision – a decision that could potentially help the bottom line? Perhaps more importantly, do they feel like they’re in that position, whether it happens or not?

Is Sam actually creating a negative impact on business by taking away everyone else’s ability to truly think on the job?