Leading outside the lines: How to Mobilize the (in)Formal Organization, Energize Your Team, and Get Better Results

THE LOGIC OF THE FORMAL

Why do managers favor the rational approach and rely on top-down execution efforts?

Largely because the mechanisms of the formal organization can be clearly defined, named, captured in written form, and measured. They include

• Strategy. A set of priorities, plans, and performance objectives that guide choices throughout the organization in how to best use resources and deploy capabilities.

• Structures. The lines and boxes that determine who reports to whom for what and that help align the decision making needed to achieve the organization’s strategy.

• Processes and procedures. The written ground rules that determine the information and work flows needed to efficiently carry out the organization’s day-to-day tasks. ...