There are instances where everything looks in order. Structures are rightly in place. Right roles are defined. Responsibilities are distributed. Bi-directional open communication is expected to take place. And with that, collective work is expected to turn out productive.
Yet, when the action begins, everything breaks apart. Productivity dwindles, cooperation is missing, and ad-hoc interactions are common-place That creates chaos. No one appears in charge even though there is someone responsible.
It clearly is a sign of broken communication channels.
A well-orchestrated workplace focuses on methods to communicate grounds-up and top-down. It encourages patient listening, internalizing and responding rather than reacting.
All effective open communication channels are a result of making such communication possible.
Often, the structures are set such that you centralize communication of every bit of your activity to someone in the hierarchy. Over time it turns into a permission-based interaction. You communicate because someone needs to be kept informed rather than getting their feedback and suggestions for improvements in matters communicated.
Choking the channels is a sign of plain incompetence and insecurity of those policing them. It takes away free-flowing thought-process and brings formalness to what is being communicated. The tremendous side effect is the impact on creative thinking that thrives on an open mind and feedback from someone who cares about your creativity.
Choking communication channels is a way to force control on how our surrounding operates. There is an aspect of creating deliberate misunderstandings and gaps in the picture about something of common interest.
Choking the communication channel creates distrust for those who promote it. The troops that came with you for constructive participation readily abandon the battlegrounds for something more worthy.
Avoid the trap of forcing control of your surroundings! Be inspiring! Others know how to charm your troops away!
This is the difference between a true Leader and a Manager. Leader encourages communication where as Manager enforces communication.
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