The case for common sense at work
“Why isn’t common sense more common at work?” I’ve heard some version of this question more times than I can count, and it’s only increasing. I’ve asked it myself. I’ve been at nearly every rung of the corporate ladder, from working the cash register to sitting in board meetings. And it’s often people in the latter who could use a reminder to take a break from slide decks and spreadsheets and…
The question "Why isn't common sense more common at work?" is a frequently asked one, and the reasons behind it are surprisingly few. Common sense is not lost, but it is overridden by three common culprits: ego, mistrust, and fear.
Ego often trumps common sense, as managers may feel the need to avoid making mistakes, chase credit, or avoid setting a precedent. This results in policies that are absurd and counterproductive. Mistrust is another culprit, as one person's actions can lead to policies that affect everyone. For instance, one person padding an expense report can lead to a new rule for everyone, even though it's just the 0.1% who were the problem.
Fear plays a significant role in overriding common sense, as managers may be worried about looking bad or setting a precedent. This leads to managers treating minor issues like crises, causing unnecessary restrictions and policies.
To bring common sense back, it is essential to pause, consider, and act. This involves asking oneself what they would want to see in a similar situation. By adopting the Pause-Consider-Act framework, managers can build trust, address exceptions fairly, and avoid creating unnecessary rules based on exceptions.
Written by urgent.news from Fast Company's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
