Freedom Nugget

KLBJ-FM, the local classic rock radio station, features a brief segment they call "Freedom Nugget".  Unlike the radio program, I'm not referring to government-related issues.

The freedom nuggets I'm referring to are opportunities that many are pursuing to flatten bloated organizations and get more done, faster.  I'm talking about people collaborating, yet working more independently, either as an employee or freelancer.  The days of "tops down" structures are on their way out, whether some companies want to believe it or not. 

Many large companies are focused on efficiency, especially now with the economic slow down.  Large (OK, most) companies are based on hierarchical org structures.  Hierarchies are not more efficient.  It takes time for information to flow up and down the chain to support decisions at the top.  If the people at the top don't make decisions quickly, the people in the trenches tend to move slower as they wait for direction.  This is not at all efficient.

Empowerment and collaboration are driving a big part of the change in how work is getting done.  More people are making organizational or process changes on their own.  They are leading themselves and/or their teams to do things differently.  In turn, this is resulting in higher job satisfaction as they feel they have some control over what they do and how they do it.  The hardest part is getting the management above to buy in.  Here's a tip: remember that saying about begging forgiveness rather than asking permission?

Come on leaders, get with it and give your team a "freedom nugget". See what they do with it.  It will probably surprise you.  Like Charlie Hodge on KLBJ says, "you can't stop freedom when it's in nugget form".