The Best Tips to Kill Autonomy

LeadershipCultureManagement

Mar 5

Written By Roel Timmermans

“Once upon a time,..”

We leaders thought: “What if we don’t have to make all of the decisions, maybe it could speed up everything.”

Of course, they were spot on. It could:

speed up tons of processes
save them workload
give people a feeling of being important
a feeling of being valued and trusted to add to the end goal

Autonomy

So enter the concept of “autonomy”, delegate some of the decision making power to others. But what seemed to be the case? Back in the 1900’s a lot of the leaders who gave way to this concept felt insecure, not willing to fully commit. So they started to clamp down on what was theirs: the power.

Hopefully this all seems like ancient history when you’re reading them, but I heard through the grapevine that still to this day a lot of it happens.

Anyhow I went looking for these remnants of those leaders, or well bosses let’s call them that. Who simply could not believe the possible outcome what autonomy could do for people in their teams.

Have a look, but beware:
This are no leadership tactics to incorporate in your leadership style. Unless you really want to scare people away.

The best autonomy "boosters" from the 1900's

7 Workplace customs that kill autonomy

Into to autonomy killers

Last time I some amazing 1900’s approach to work customs,..

Prepare to journey back to a time again when autonomy at work was more myth than reality.

Brace yourself for these seven classic maneuvers that can smother autonomy faster than you can say ‘micromanage.’ Let’s dive in,... >

The Puppeteer Phenomenon

You know the type – they dangle the strings of responsibility over your head but never really let you dance. It’s like being handed a marionette and being told, “Move, but only as I say!” Autonomy? More like auto-no-me

The Bottleneck Boss

Picture this: You’re ready to roll, you’ve got your ideas, your plans, your energy... and then you hit a wall. That wall? Your boss. They’re the ultimate bottleneck, the gatekeeper of progress. Your autonomy?

Good luck, now you’re just trapped behind your desk, waiting for approval

Permission paralysis

You want to innovate, to try something new, but wait – did you get the memo?

You need permission for that! Every move requires a stamp of approval.

Autonomy? Nah, it’s more like filling out triplicate forms just to stretch your legs?

Micro-Manage Madness

Ever had someone breathing down your neck, watching your every move like a hawk circling its prey?

That’s micro-managing in action. Autonomy?

Say hello to your new supervisor – Mr. Micro- Manager

The Decoy Delegate

Ah, the art of delegation – or should we say, delegation decoy? They pass on the tasks,
sure, but without the authority to make any real decisions. Autonomy? It’s like passing a baton in a relay race, only to find out it’s made of jelly

Status Quo Stagnation

Why fix what ain’t broke, right? That’s the motto of the status quo squad. Innovation? Autonomy? Sorry, those words aren’t in their dictionary. It’s
all about maintaining the tried and tired, even if it means sacrificing progress at the altar of tradition

Silo Syndrome

Imagine each department in your workplace
as its own little medieval castle, complete with moats and drawbridges. That’s the silo syndrome – where autonomy suffocates in the stale air of isolation. Collaboration? Autonomy? Nope, just more walls to climb,...