The Hidden Cost of Institutional Control

October 2025

A long time ago, a historian I worked with told me that in Jordan’s early years, many institutions were established and led by people who had served in the army. Command and structure were seen as the most effective way to run these institutions. I wonder how much of that mindset still shapes some workplaces today. I studied bureaucratic systems in my public management courses but never researched whether the main figures behind institutional development followed the same path. It could be worth looking into... 

A colleague once shared on one of my blogs that institutions often value conformity. She explained that while technical skills may be transferable, the “corporate officer” mindset is not. Success in that environment depends less on knowledge and experience and more on alignment with the unwritten rules of office politics and hierarchy. 

Last week, while in Germany, my friend told me about her colleague in financial auditing who lost her job that day after almost 20 years of service. She had good performance all through but the new management felt uncomfortable with her input in meetings, even though the team usually agree with her points. My friend explained the reason for letting her go was that she was “not corporate”. 

Many friends and colleagues have also shared stories about managers who believed that control kept their teams productive and authority unquestioned. They rarely accepted different ways and different opinions, and when someone questioned their ways, they saw it as a personal threat. The office stayed quiet, and the good people slowly left. A story many of you may be familiar with... 

In one of my favourite roles, I was asked in the job interview about my management style. I paused. I was silent. The term was new to me and I do not remember having reflected on my relationship with my colleagues or teams prior to that day. I got the job. I know now. 

And finally, a few days ago at a wedding party in Amman, I met a lovely classmate from primary school. She laughed and said when she recognised me she still remembers how I used to discuss lessons with teachers and explain topics to classmates. It reminded me that curiosity and expression were once seen as strengths... 

So, what happens to institutions that silence their most thoughtful voices? Are they bound to fall, or do they simply fade into irrelevance while others move forward?

Image source: https://lnkd.in/dSVaSyFa

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