[theideaofcoffee]

The idea of calcified culture and process isn't limited to large bureaucracies and government institutions. It's just as prevalent in orgs barely tipping over three figures' worth of people. In many ways, seeing it from both the large and the small, the smaller ones are often the most difficult to change because there are one or two people touching everything. Most often they have been there for a long time and such having the 'trust' of management so the bare minimum of 'new' ideas, and new being the state-of-the-art of the industry ten years ago, because they might have to adapt.

Playing the innovation hero in that kind of org is dangerous, and I have the battle scars, the burn-out and resentment to prove it. Others have pointed out that the point of the power structures is to self-perpetuate and any threat to that is swiftly dealt with.

It's just so sad to see, all because people fear change. I don't know how to change that other than replacing those lifers and swapping out management.

Now I know what to look for and am willing to bounce at the first sign of it.