Chain of Command and Communication

I work for a very young company. As exciting as it is to be on the ground floor of something potentially great, it's not without challenges. Some challenges arise from pure process and technical procedure. However, other challenges relate to the principals of management.

I work with bright but young team of managers. When I say young, I'm not necessarily referring to age but more to experience. They follow the scalar chain method of a strict reporting structure. Communication should only be with one's direct supervisor who will, in turn, relay one's thoughts up to their superiors and so on. This creates a feeling of unease amongst employees and and "us vs them" mentality, as indirect communication may lead to miscommunication and a feeling of separation amongst the ranks.

Although I do understand the justification for the classic administration school of management and a scalar scale in the workplace and the need for a clear chain of command, I do not see how the effect of communication isolation it can have as the most effective way to motivate employees, raise morale or increase productivity. I more agree with Mary Parker Follett's collabortive theory. Whereas, the adaptation of democracy and a holistic approach to an organization to create a healthier more productive workforce.

This is not to say that rules and reporting structures are not valuable, and I do agree with Weber and Fayol's methods and principles in that there should be an impersonal element in management. The focus should be on the organization and its efficiency not on personalities.  However, organizations are made up of individuals with thoughts and ideas, and by nature cannot be completely imprersonal.  In order to maintain a productive organization, an element of democracy should be introduced. Mary Parker Follett's concept of "power with" rather than "power over" demonstrates a collaborative approach to management.

In my current organization, I recognize more of Weber and Fayol's management techniques. Not that these techniques are ineffective. As I stated, structure and hierarchy are necessary. However, more open lines of communication, employee engagement and manager/subordinate collaboration, in my opinion, would lead to a more motivated and productive work environment, thereby, leading to a stronger, more successful company.