BOUNDARIES ARE GUIDELINES FOR ACTION

AS THEY strolled along, Elizabeth began to explain how various kinds of structure take on a new meaning in an empowered organization.

“Once people have the information to understand their current situation, boundaries don’t seem like constraints but rather guidelines for action. Within our agreed-on boundaries, we have complete autonomy and responsibility to get things done. Take roles and goals, for example. I’m sure Janet Wo talked to you about developing the big picture into little pictures.”

“Yes, she did.”

“That’s important to us, because when it comes to defining roles and goals, our process is like a two-way street. Management and informed people throughout the organization (that is, all of us) work ...

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