I would say that control is in our minds rather than our grasp. We think
we are in control until we find out we are not. Perhaps that was Beverly's
point. Most management control techniques are detective in nature, rather
than preventative. While we may think we are "controlling" by finding
problems after the fact we are simply reacting to the reality of lack of
control. It might be semantics but is -- "I will punish you after you do
it if you don't do what I want" -- control? In my view we need to
understand organization control in a much broader context than we have,
especially as the impact of the risks associated with being "out of
control" increase at an exponential rate. And to me the key lies in shared
values.
John
John D Tongren
Tongren & Associates
jtongren@gte.net
http://home1.gte.net/jtongren/index.htm
http://www.coactiveconnection.com
616-780-4440
Advocate CoActive Control & Audit
------------------
> On Fri, 10 Jan 1997, Beverly Smith wrote:
>
> > i think that this is perhaps the hardest lesson to learn for managers
and
> > teachers, if not for everyone. it is an illusion that we have control
over
> > other people. to those of us who have taught undergraduates, raised
> > children, or own cats, it is perfectly obvious that control over the
> > external world ends somewhere around a millimeter (at most) from the
ends of
> > one's fingertips.
>
> I would say control is in our grasp, but mastery is not. And, I do not
> think mastery is what I would want to advocate as it envolves coercive
> power. But control is a different animal entirely.
> ______________________
> Great Optimism,
>
> Dutch Driver
> Dept. of Communication
> McMurry University
> Abilene, TX
>
ddriver@cs1.mcm.edu