Culture Killer #2: Bureaucracy - The Quiet Killer of Productivity
My friend is a productivity powerhouse—the kind of person who gets things done, fast and well. But in a recent role, her superpower was stifled. Ultimately, she left.
The culprit? Bureaucracy.
One policy required her to track her time down to the minute—even though none of it was billable. The process itself took an hour a day. That’s 12.5% of her time spent proving how she spent her time.
Bureaucracy thrives on complexity, obstacles, and status quo thinking.
Leaders love to hate it—and for good reason. It slows progress, stifles innovation, and crushes morale.
Yet it persists across organizations of all sizes.
Why?
Because it feels safe. It's familiar. And it quietly drains energy from the very people trying to move things forward.
Bureaucracy is pervasive killer that can significantly hinder an organization's ability to thrive.
But it doesn’t have to.
When leaders confront its root causes, they unlock the potential for agility, innovation, and engagement. 👇 Check out the common causes and treatments.
Start by embracing continuous improvement. Focus on what truly matters. And don’t be afraid to subtract.
