We all have worked for dysfunctional companies at one time or another. Most of the time, we view them through the lens of people — whether it be domineering bosses, hostile work environments, or sweat-shop-like circumstances. However, there are three common behaviors that can permeate a company and create dysfunction, even if the people and teams are the nicest on the planet.
1. Decisions drag on for months.
I have witnessed talented people leaving companies because they couldn’t handle the lack of deliberate decision-making anymore. Many got tired of internal corporate bickering, self-sabotaging, and snails-pace decision-making, so they left.
Why does this happen? Sometimes it’s culture, where the organization is highly risk averse, and seeks knowledge perfection before pulling the trigger, rather than encouraging experimentation. Sometimes it’s power plays.
How to fix it? Put decision-making into 3 categories. First, those decisions which can be made independently. Second, those that need another look, whether from a peer or superior, that impact another area of the organization. Third, those that are big investments, long-term, or major changes. Then act on those categorizations accordingly.
2. So many meetings
There are endless meetings. Many meetings are for show rather than function. Meetings tend to be 95% talk and 5% action. Most of the time, a bulk of attendees really don’t need to be there. Other times, it’s a case where even if a decision is made, it gets cycled back through in subsequent meetings because a real decision hasn’t yet been made.