"یکی از تله‌های رایج برای سازمان‌های بزرگ - که سرعت و خلاقیت را زیان می‌زند - تصمیم گیری به شیوه "یک اندازه برای همه" است... نتیجه نهایی این رویکرد، کندی، اجتناب غیرمنطقی از ریسک، ناکافی بودن تجربه و در نتیجه کاهش نوآوری است."

Large organizations often run into trouble when they try to make all their decisions in a uniform way. Basically, when a company insists that every decision follow the same process, it slows everything down and stifles creativity. Imagine you're working on a big project, and every small decision you need to make has to go through a lengthy approval process. It's frustrating, right? That's exactly what happens in these companies.

Historically, this can be seen in large corporations or government agencies. They often have layers and layers of bureaucracy. This creates a scenario where there's little room for flexibility or quick decision-making. For an example, think of the automotive industry in the 20th century. Big manufacturers like General Motors had rigid structures that didn’t allow for rapid innovation. This slowness gave an edge to more nimble competitors who could adapt more quickly to changes in the market.

Let’s put this into a real-life context with a detailed example. Think about Blockbuster. At its peak, Blockbuster was the go-to place for movie rentals. But the company's decision-making process was slow and resistant to change. When Netflix came along, they were agile and willing to experiment with online streaming. Blockbuster's rigid decision-making process prevented it from seeing the potential in this new model. They stuck to their outdated practices, and we all know how that ended.

So, how can you avoid this pitfall if you’re part of a big organization? First, empower smaller teams to make decisions. Don’t insist that every decision goes up the chain. If you trust your team, give them the autonomy to experiment and take calculated risks. Second, encourage a culture where it's okay to fail. If people are too scared of making mistakes, they won't try anything new. Speed and innovation thrive in environments where learning from failure is valued.

Imagine a tech startup. They’re working on a new app, and every team member has the freedom to make decisions about their part of the project. There’s no waiting around for approvals from higher-ups. They have regular meetings to sync up, but those are for collaboration, not micromanagement. Because they’re not bogged down by a one-size-fits-all decision-making process, they can pivot quickly when something isn’t working. They can try out new features, get feedback, and iterate rapidly.

Now think about your own life. Maybe you’re working on a group project at school or a collaborative task at work. If you find that decisions are taking forever because you have to get approval from everyone, suggest dividing the responsibilities. Trusting each other to make good decisions can speed things up and lead to better outcomes. Or, if you're leading a team, give your team members the freedom to take the reins on their parts of the project. You'll likely find that they come up with solutions you hadn't thought of, and they’ll appreciate the trust you're putting in them.

Remember, flexibility can be your best friend. It’s about finding that balance between structure and freedom. Don’t let the fear of failure hold you back. Embrace the chaos a bit, and you might be surprised at how much faster and more innovative you can be.