Question

It is often said that control is largely an illusion. For example, in traditional classrooms many professors strive for a modicum of control by requiring attendance, but do they really get what they are after, or are many minds actually "outside" the classroom? Drawing from your own observation or experience, discuss an attempt to control that has been little more than an illusion. What could the manager have done in lieu of the control measure that was no more than an illusion?

Answer 1

As mentioned in the case, I too agree that control is an illusion. Drawing more inference from the mentioned example of a classroom, a teacher can push the limits to gain more control but there can never be 100% control over the classroom. He may forcefully make the students sit in the lecture but can never control the wandering minds. He may attempt to ensure his knowledge is getting transferred effectively by keeping tests to forcefully make the students pay attention. But even then, the outcome will depend on the effort put in by the student and the grasping power. One way to ensure adequate control is obtained is by keeping the class interactive. In an interactive environment, every member tries to pitch in their views and therefore has to keep an open mind to listen to what others say. By doing this teacher can ensure students are attentive in the class, but it may lead to another problem of controlling the discussions that arise in the classroom.

A similar process can be found in corporate world. Managers usually tend to think they have complete control over the team and they are willing to do everything he demands. While there may be few exceptions majority of the team would do otherwise. They have a mindset and thought process of their own using which they would jump to their own conclusions and analysis. One way a manager can control the team is by passing on the ownership of duties to the team members and delegation of the work effectively. If the ownership lies with the employee, the he would try his best to ensure the work is completely done without errors. While this may seem to make the manager lose control over the work, he effectively gets the work done which would have been difficult if the manager had just asked the employee to work on it. Another way the manager can have control of the team is by letting the team provide creative solutions to problems as long as the solution is feasible and solving the issues identified.

Few others ways of ensuring the control over team are:

• Ensuring only the personnel who can gel with the team and managers ideology of working are hired

• Implement clear policies of work distribution and ensure the employee’s yearly action plan is filled with the requirements of manager and organization

• Identify difficult employee early on and inculcate a culture of team work in them

• Have open communications with team to gain trust and control

• Ensure feedback is provided to all employees regarding the performance and control issues