How do you deal with bureaucratic red tape that slows you down?

Our reader poll today asks: How do you deal with bureaucratic red tape that slows you down?

• I respect the process and work through it. The process exists for a reason 17.19%
• I try working through the process but escalate the issue if I’m struggling 61.72%
• I try the process, but as soon as I hit a roadblock, I work outside the process 17.19%
• I don’t even bother with the process. I work around it to get things done 3.90%

Are your processes slowing your organization down? While 17% of your people report respecting and working through processes, others will escalate issues or work around the process entirely when they hit roadblocks. Processes matter but make sure the ones you have balance the tradeoffs of compliance, safety, and rigor with the need to get things done. If your people are working around your bureaucracy and process anyway, the process isn’t having the desired effect. Sit down with your team and understand the roadblocks they’re facing. Review your processes to see which steps can be changed to make things more efficient. There needs to be a balance of process and operational effectiveness for the two to live in harmony.

– Mike Figliuolo at thoughtLEADERS, LLC

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These results were originally a SmartPulse poll in SmartBrief on Leadership which tracks feedback from more than 240,000 business leaders. Get smarter on leadership and sign up for the SmartBrief on Leadership e-newsletter.