The Comfort of Simple Answers
Human beings love simple answers. Reality tends to prefer complicated ones.
Systems Thinking
The Bureaucratic Immune System
Every institution develops defenses against disruption. The problem begins when the system starts treating solutions as threats.
The Appearance of Competence
In many organizations, the appearance of competence is easier to measure than competence itself. That’s where the trouble begins.
The Incentive Problem
People tend to move toward rewards and away from consequences. Understanding incentives often explains behavior better than understanding intentions.
Why Every Organization Eventually Protects Itself
Most organizations begin with a purpose. As they grow, protecting the organization itself often becomes just as important—and sometimes more important—than the original mission.