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

KNOWING WHEN TO EMPHASIZE LOGIC OR MAGIC

The formal is best used for predictable and repeatable work that needs to be done efficiently and with little variance. The predictability and repeatability of the work warrants the effort to develop the infrastructure of the formal organization, which can be documented and constantly improved upon to improve efficiency and remove variation. Payroll distributions are a good example.

Conversely, the informal is best applied against unpredictable events. Issues that arise outside the scope of the formal organization are often surprises that need to be sensed and solved. Increasingly, people who need to do the solving need to be motivated outside the reward system, collaborate across organizational boundaries, ...