Cut Through the Red Tape

Eight tips for satisfaction in a bureaucratic work environment.

- Kamladevi Sharma

Red-tape environments, or bureaucratic environments, are still prominent in many businesses and governments all over the world today. Coined in 1864 by Max Weber, the model can be undoubtedly relied upon for its administrative benefits of:

• structured duties and responsibilities that prevent overlap,

• standard rules and procedures for consistent employee behaviors,

• systems and processes for transparency and accountability and,

• improved performance for employees who specialize in their jobs.

This model of a clear hierarchy is ideal if you want to ensure the ease and flow of your business, and to achieve its overall goals and objectives. However, it can also be argued that the robotic nature of the bureaucratic model can impinge on your sense of self in the process.

Unfortunately, the red-tape and paperwork can be overwhelming to deal with, the time for decisions to be taken for unpredictable outcomes can be frustrating, and you can easily feel as if you do not belong to where you are with the level of impersonality present. Certainly, your mental, emotional and even physical well-being feels the brunt of a bureaucratic environment if you are unable to manage yourself effectively.

Nonetheless, the bureaucratic model is what it is and, looking at it realistically, it will not change based on your negative emotional responses if you feel victimized by it. So what are the options available to you if you’re “growing” in a red-tape environment? How can you feel satisfied while still experiencing a high level of bureaucracy in your daily life?

SATISFACTION VIA A GROWTH MINDSET