Controlling environments are like cages built with good intentions. We design them to create predictability, reduce errors, and streamline decisions. But what grows in a cage?
According to Steve Magness, author of “Do Hard Things,” control-based environments create “fake toughness” – a facade of strength that crumbles under real pressure.
The Science of Suffocation
A study by the Harvard Business Review found that organizations with rigid control systems experience 41% less innovation than their more flexible counterparts.
Think about that. In trying to prevent failure, we’re preventing success.
The Fear Factor
When failure isn’t an option, neither is greatness. Teams operating under strict control show:
- Decreased creativity
- Lower risk tolerance
- Reduced initiative
- Increased stress levels
- Higher turnover rates
As Brené Brown notes, “Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome.”
Breaking Free
The alternative? Create what Magness calls “real toughness” – an environment where:
- Mistakes are learning opportunities
- Innovation is celebrated
- Risk-taking is encouraged
- Failure is part of growth
- Trust replaces control
A Google study on team effectiveness revealed that psychological safety – taking risks without fear of punishment – was the number one predictor of team success.
Your rigid structure might feel safe, but it’s safety at the cost of greatness. True excellence requires space to fail, learn, and grow.
Build guardrails, not cages. Your team’s potential depends on it.
