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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.

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How many times have you been asked if you’re crazy?Insanity has been defined by many great scholars, including the great theoretical physicist Albert Einstein, as doing the same thing over, and over a
Hack by Tara Waite on December 4, 2011
The organisational mantra of up-or-out is, in fact, out. Organiations need to develop a new way of recognising performance, and increase the skill-to-position match.
Hack by Group 14 on November 6, 2011
If I asked you a make a list of high performing teams - the kind that deliver world class results under tremendous pressure every day, chances are, a management committee wouldn't feature.
Hack by Stephen Remedios on November 1, 2011
As management have remained unchanging for the last 60 years, companies continue struggling to fully “use” the best capabilities –and intentions - of their employees by eternally trusting in an organi
Hack by Cesar Malacon on October 21, 2011
“Leadership days”? These would involve rearranging the organisation for a day so that managers can relinquish control to an employee one level down in the hierarchical structure.
Hack by Keshal Sookha on October 18, 2011
Entropy: a hypothetical tendency for the universe to attain a state of maximum homogenity in which all matter is uniform..Among all matter, gases have the highest entropy, they don't have a p
Hack by Abhijeet Sharma on October 14, 2011
Who wants to join me in a cup of C.O.F.F.E.E.
Hack by Robert Paris on October 13, 2011
Establish corporate practice and structures which balance decison-making power by involving employees including the selection and hiring of managers and making them accountable to their direct reports
Hack by John Nyawo on October 4, 2011
Across the World, prejudices and misperceptions are a common response to the immigration phenomenon.
Hack by Sergio Formas on October 3, 2011

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