Linked and Connected or Not

Posted June 14th, 2009

One issue about pipelines often bothered me.  The physical part of the pipeline had to be completely connected, in order to have “system integrity.”  Each piece of pipe and every fitting was joined together. Disconnects will defeat the purpose of the pipeline; there will be leaks of hazardous liquids or gas.  It is critical to be completely connected.

But organizations divided its people into areas, districts, and/or locations.  These divisions did not always link together like the pieces of pipe. Why was that?  One reason is that companies still divide people into groups geographically, functionally, or into teams.  As a result, these divisions compete rather than collaborate.  They do not communicate or they miscommunicate.  Someone told me their company is worse at communication now than they were ten years ago.  Could that be true of other companies?

This entry was posted on Sunday, June 14th, 2009 at 4:50 pm and is filed under Human Factors, Leadership, Observations.