Excellent points. In fact, the manner in which you frame your thoughts can also serve as a good rule of thumb in dealing with this argument. Thanks for stopping by James.

For example, when we allow our people to work with boundaries instead of rules, they will find the best way to accomplish a task. We then teach this method to the others. They become efficient and we created an effective team.

Thanks for your insights. You brought up what is in my opinion one of the most dangerous statements in business: "that's what we've always done." I think your comments support the old axiom that distinguishes between doing things right and doing the right things. Thanks for stopping by Tanveer

For many companies, employees are expected to complete given tasks or processes because 'that's what we've always done'. But if we focus instead on what the purpose is behind our efforts, suddenly it matters less if we're efficient in doing it if it ultimately contributes little to our organization's objectives.

It's at that point that we can appreciate that encouraging efficiency is not as critical as encouraging effectiveness since it's the latter that will ultimately ensure we attain the goals we set out to reach.

I think we focus on efficiency because that gives us "permission" to focus on the things that we can control. Yet the things that make the most difference rarely fall into that category!

Thanks again.