It's time to reinvent management. You can help.

Increase trust, reduce fear

“The most critical challenge for any organization is to enlarge the circle of trust.”

Command-and-control systems reflect a deep mistrust of employees’ commitment and competence. They also tend to overemphasize sanctions as a way of forcing compliance. That’s why so many organizations are filled with anxious employees who are hesitant to take the initiative or trust their own judgment. Organizational adaptability, innovation, and employee engagement can only thrive in a high-trust, low-fear culture. In such an environment, information is widely shared, contentious opinions are freely expressed, and risk taking is encouraged. Fear paralyzes, mistrust demoralizes—they must be wrung out of our management systems.

124 Stories
236 Hacks
22 Barriers

Increase trust, reduce fear

“The most critical challenge for any organization is to enlarge the circle of trust.”

Command-and-control systems reflect a deep mistrust of employees’ commitment and competence. They also tend to overemphasize sanctions as a way of forcing compliance. That’s why so many organizations are filled with anxious employees who are hesitant to take the initiative or trust their own judgment. Organizational adaptability, innovation, and employee engagement can only thrive in a high-trust, low-fear culture. In such an environment, information is widely shared, contentious opinions are freely expressed, and risk taking is encouraged. Fear paralyzes, mistrust demoralizes—they must be wrung out of our management systems.

Filter By:
Implement a performance review mechanism that allows every employee to give themselves an "A" at the beginning of the period and then summarize what they are going to accomplish to earn that A.
Hack by Akash Sah on September 20, 2010
Our organization was founded on the success of a biotech stock that provided the genesis for the investment organization, and the opportunity that has given many the funds needed to delve into other b
Story by Thanh Hoang on September 19, 2010
Instead of managers occupying a level above front-line workers, why not have them work under and for them? 
Hack by Josh Harrington on September 19, 2010
Working in an environment with many distributed offices and timezones and correspondingly silo'ed projects, many employees never meet talented, creative folks on other teams who can be co-conspirators
Hack by Vijay Karunamurthy on September 19, 2010
Organizations create efficiency by choosing one project over another. But is that really the way to innovate?
Hack by Laura Cerruti on September 18, 2010
If we are to focus the work of management on a higher purpose, I contend that we need to begin by adjusting our reward systems.  To obtain the highest leverage on this lofty goal, companies shoul
Hack by Stuart Thompson on September 18, 2010
The Secret  waits for the insight of eyes unclouded by longing, Those that are bound by desire see only the outward container.
Hack by Rohit Kashyap on September 17, 2010
In its new business groups, Applied Materials has changed the way decisions are made.  Each week in the Solar Business Group, a technology roadmap/strategy meeting is held with all levels of empl
Story by Brendan McComb on September 16, 2010
Corporate politics are a drag on innovation and employee engagement.  Too many managers are worried about not rocking the boat or aligning themselves with the right corporate officer to ensure th
Story by Stuart Thompson on September 16, 2010

Pages