Ben Compton, in the process of designing a new business, inquires as to
ways and means of institutionalizing insurrection and protest...
I think you will find, Ben, that the heart of the matter with which you
are grappling is the exercise of authority. As a former military man, I
never cease to be amazed at how much more arbitrary is the exercise of
authority in the private sector than ever I witnessed in my 20 years in
the Navy. I've also pondered the matter and have long believed that the
basic reason is that the military is a system governed by law (perhaps not
unlike the "rules" you seek to establish), whereas corporate cultures have
no such provisions. I've also long believed that corporations require
something like a constitution if they are to cope successfully with
knowledge workers. So, I wish you well with your effort to establish
"rules" in your new business. A few points of counsel follow...
First, whatever the rules might be, make certain all are subject to them.
Allow no one to be above the rules.
Second, include some kind of provision for examining and changing the
rules (which is of course your institutionalized insurrection and
protest).
Third, separate the establishment of rules from their enforcement,
otherwise, you will never make the first point above a reality (in other
words, you need a system of checks and balances).
In your shoes, although you state clearly that a democracy is not intended
(albeit possible), I'd take a long hard look at the architecture of
American government.
Good luck and best wishes...
Regards,
Fred Nickols
nickols@worldnet.att.net
--Fred Nickols <nickols@worldnet.att.net>
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>