Comment by Duff
15 years ago
I think that you're zooming into this too much and missing the point.
Think about the difference between success in the military versus success in a small business. In the Army, a protocol faux pas or a single ill-considered statement can implode your career path. Understanding of and adherence to the rules is job 1.
In a startup mode, you can ignore conventions/rules, because those things are often not relevant to a tiny company. That doesn't mean that you have carte blanche to rob a liquor store -- but it does mean that you don't need approval from a VP to fill out a 4 page expense report to buy a bottle of booze for a client.
Actually I think you misunderstand and misinterpret my point. I'll try to clarify.
I think much of what's excepted in today's business environment can be summarized by the following statement:
"It's easier to ask for forgiveness than it is to get permission."
This logic has been used to justify all sorts of questionable actions. It's what Pincus was speaking to when he said, "we broke every rule in the book" or when Facebook unilaterally changes a once private profile to a public one. Heck, I'd even characterize Google's Buzz in this category.
Businesses do this all the time. I don't necessarily blame them. Most times it's easier and quicker to simply execute on an idea and see if there's any backlash. Much of innovation comes about this way so I do see the value in it.
But I also see the negative consequences of it.
>Understanding of and adherence to the rules is job 1.
I have to disagree. Some Armed Forces employ quite different type of organization, called Auftragstaktik.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission-type_tactics
You are talking about a peace time military. A war time military is much more focused on results. It's an important distinction.