Spreading Democracy – Look at Business
Truth, Justice and the American Way as Superman use to say. We have been on a mission as a nation for many years now of doing all we can to spread democracy while we ignore the dictatorships that are right under our noses here in the good old USA.
That is correct, our businesses. How many businesses do you know that operate more like a dictatorship than a democracy? More often than not it is led by an autocratic leader and just a touch of 'my way or the highway' attitude. Don't always believe the marketing persona that a company puts out about Enlightenment and employee orientation.
I have certainly experienced my share of such organizations and I am sure operated with the same thinking in my on head on occasion. "Damn employees, they should be happy just to have a paycheck." I have heard that phrase uttered at least a dozen times in meetings. Anyway.
If we have such strong beliefs about democracy as citizens and a nation then why don't we apply that same fervor about how our business organizations are run?
If democracy is such a powerful model why is it not used more in business organizations as an organizational structure?
Your thoughts?
Management | admin | 21 July 2006 |
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By Sanjay Kumar, November 3, 2006 @ 5:07 pm
Hmmm. Interesting post. I’m not sure I understand your point, but I’ll bite anyway. I have seen both democracies and dictator-led businesses. In the democratic ones, the ultimate leader of the venture needs to be very strong and willing to make a call when there is disagreement. Without a strong leader, these democracies can fail. On the other side of the coil, the dictator-led businesses can go one of two ways: 1) dictator is a strong leader and only appears to be a dictator due to poor management skills or weak employees, or 2) the dictator really is dragging people around by the nose, in which case, you’re right — you shouldn’t be working there.
this debate could last many hours!
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