Production works to satisfy consumption and consumption works to affirm production. It is better when production works to satisfy consumption and in turn consumption works to affirm production. If they do not work together, in some way communicating with each other, each adding value to the cycle, the disconnect at best frustrates efficiency and at worst creates an oppressive power dynamic in which the boss demands production exclusively for his or her own consumption; and bureaucracy is born.

There are multiple examples, too many to count, of ridiculous bureaucracy completely, totally separated from any kind of value contribution to any production cycle. And I could spend thousands of words beating this drum. But this week I am thinking more about the less obvious disconnect between good intentions and thoughtful planning. To a large extent, that speaks for itself. Good intentions implies a desire for production that adds value, but thoughtful planning is necessary to maximize efficiency and enhance the potential for consistent improvement. No matter the good intentions, if a boss is oblivious to the oppressive power dynamic they have created, be it from duplicitous hypocrisy or simple ignorance, it is likely they will drive production down their path and it is unlikely they will become aware of any possible better path, thus creating enough bureaucracy to frustrate efficiency.

But say we could remove the existing power dynamic, how then would we determine the better path? Would a democracy really work to find the way? Or would the power shift to the most insistent? Or the most eloquent? Or the best liar? In theory, perhaps we should turn to experts; the one or one’s with the most knowledge. But that would involve verifying credentials which may take us once again dangerously close to bureaucracy. I would argue though that expertise would more often result in a better path than the oppressive power dynamics we currently utilize. Because one has or makes more money, or because one is an expert in one area, one is not an expert and does not necessarily know better in other areas. For example, because one has an advanced degree and is a credentialed expert in pulmonology, this individual is not suddenly or automatically an expert educator. A degree and expertise in accounting does not make one an expert manager. And inheriting the franchise from daddy does not make one an expert in anything.

Yet here we are.

Yes, the bosses fear the experts because it makes a tremendous amount of sense to narrow gaps. But I believe bosses are even more afraid of thinkers who listen because experts are often already entrenched in their field of expertise and not in positions to implement change, whereas thinkers who listen, given the power, would listen to experts and implement change that would narrow gaps. For bosses, that is scary. So in our current political incarnation, the wealthy, powerful, insistent, eloquent liars will continue to talk over all the experts and all the thinkers busy listening, and the best we can work for is oblivious bosses with good intentions. For all of us, that is more scary…

…and way more sad.