dreams of rules

This is part of what I dreamt about tonight:

Where two or more people work together the most important in being efficient in a relaxed atmosphere are rules. Rules invented by the community, rules obeyed and transgression exposed and discouraged.
You think I’m talking of Orwell’s 1984 big brother? Not at all- I’m talking about the subtle arrangements we all make, sometimes without talking.
Some are due to education, dome are due to unwritten local rules that separate the insider from the outsider.
Take for example a company dress code: it is rarely written anywhere, but if you transgress it, you’ll feel it. The who talks to whom about what- if you don’t know those rules you get yourself quickly into trouble. Is it absolutely clear to you who makes what decision in your company?

Those can be dictated rules- if you are new to the system, you are kindly asked to comply in order to be one of the crowd. Some people are rebellious- either they get into trouble sooner or later, or they have the gift of being able to subtly change the existing rules.

Rules work best where everybody’s opinion is taken into account. A leader taking on a new group of people is well advised to work out the rules of that group with its members instead of dictating them.
Only when it is clear and agreed with everybody what is expected of each person and what is the process of decision, when the leader controls his troops but covers them also, when conditions are fair and unfairness discussed and treated well-being of the individual AND productivity reach its peak.

Unfortunately, a lot of leaders lack self confidence and thus need the continuous proof of power over their subordinates to make them feel important. They will tend to be vague about decision processes, responsibilities and rules. Usually the rule:’ the boss is right’ will then replace common rules. The vagueness enables this leader to shift blames and to reward the courtesans. Management is conducted by fear , for this manager is convinced that work is only done through pressure and employees often leave if they get any chance to do so.

A management position is not only a position of power over other people but a position of responsibility for their evolution and well-being.