Is it ignorance, ego, self-interest, stupidity, incompetence, laziness, groupthink, lack of critical thinking, or perhaps a blend of all of the above that is behind the stupid stuff we see in organisations daily?

Am I gifted with a spider sense for spotting the absurdities that permeate organisational life? I often feel like I’m living a real-life version of a Dilbert cartoon.

Being acutely aware of my limitations I know that’s not the case. In every organisation I’ve worked in or with, there were a ton of people sighing in frustration about the latest great idea that came down from the top, so I know I’m not alone here. Cartoons like Dilbert and Comic Agile wouldn’t be so popular if they didn’t spot and make these absurdities explicit.

I’m an idealist at heart and I appreciate that can be a naive perspective at times but it keeps hope alive. We know there are better ways of doing things and even if we never reach the ideal they give us something to continually strive for.

What is emerging though is a view that having the capability to spot the irony of the disconnect between what is espoused and what people are experiencing in an organisation is a powerful perspective as long as you can laugh about it and expect it to be there.

Maybe all change programs should start by having a group of anthropologists, sociologists, and stand-up comedians do a deep dive into the organisation and kick things off with a stand-up performance for all staff calling out all the crazy absurd stuff that is happening.

Based on levels of laughter from the staff you have your roadmap for improvement.

It’s only from your current reality that transformation can emerge so having a deeper understanding of how people are experiencing the organisation today seems like a sensible place to start.

Caught yourself nodding in agreement? Then, why not share your comedic goldmine of organisational absurdities below?

Or better yet, how about hitting that ‘Like’ button or passing this along with a ‘Share’?

Remember, a good laugh shared, is a good laugh doubled!