Control Management

Control Management is something which Project management does not generally talk about, but deals into scientific methods of cost , time, procurement , quality, process, but what about the people who is behind all this?

Prior to this excerpt, Covey talks about how people at home and work are still treated as if in Industrial age (where machines do most of the part or people work like machines more of labor than having a need to use their mind) rather than in Knowledge era.

”They (We) have consented perhaps unconsciously, to being controlled like a thing. Even if they perceive a need they don’t take the initiative to act. They wait to be told what to do by the person in the formal title and act as directed. Consequently they blame the formal leader when things go wrong and give him or her credit when things go well. They are thanked for their “cooperation & support”. The more a manager controls, the more he or she evokes a behavior that necessitates greater control or managing. The culture that develops is eventually institutionalized to a point that no one takes responsibility.” - Covey Chap 2 8th Habit

I think what I understand from the lat line is, when a decision is taken on your behalf by someone who is higher in the power of hierarchy and when that decision goes wrong, you cannot point finger at your boss, looking from an ceiling view called an Organization.

A conflict resolution requires dynamism in thinking and will never be cultivated by ‘told to act’ methods. If you believe there can be learning without making any mistakes, then one should be in an industry where your job is packing matchsticks.

It could be argued that one is learning by observing the decision made by my boss during conflict resolutions when sought for help. But that microscopic learning can be applied only to an exact similar situation when it arises again. No two apples are same would be my argument. More critical the problem, more the fear based action, more the dependency of your boss needed on the decision making. It is an endless pursuit of seeking freedom not knowing that the one who wants to be free is you not freedom.

Seeking knowledge to make your decision and requiring your boss experience is different than seeking to act out of safety. Without making the right choices, we cannot make the right outcomes. Managers who you report to may be replaced or may change over time, but your work and responsibility doesn’t , continuing in your current position. What if your new boss is less capable than your previous boss, or less capable than yourself? When something goes wrong the less capable new boss will still hold you responsible, what if he says it is your call , you are paid to make it work right and to make right decisions and holds you responsible for the outcome?

It is better to consult when confused, it is better to rightly think and act when you have choice.