Picture this: A corporation claims innovation is its lifeblood. Yet, it smothers creativity with a pillow of bureaucracy. It preaches agility but moves at a pace that makes glaciers seem like sprinters.

Isn’t it peculiar how the same organisation that prides itself on communication can’t seem to master the art of a simple, clear email?

And let’s not forget the adoration for buzzwords. ‘Synergy’, ‘disruption’, ‘leverage’. Peppered in every meeting, every presentation. Yet, the only disruption seen is the constant reshuffling of top management.

How about the paradox of hiring for diversity but promoting for conformity? The irony of espousing work-life balance while flooding employees with after-hours emails?

These corporate absurdities are as common as they are nonsensical. We laugh at them, and vent about them, but seldom challenge them.

But here’s the thing.

These absurdities are not the result of some cosmic joke. They’re products of decisions, policies, and cultures that prioritise the wrong things.

We can’t merely accept them as ‘part of the job’. We need to call them out, question them, laugh at ourselves for being so stupid, and if needed, fight against them.

Next time you face an absurd corporate practice, don’t just roll your eyes. Ask ‘Why?’

To stop the cycle of corporate absurdities you in the first instance need to spot them. How you surface and challenge them is where politics come into play and that’s perhaps a later section of the book where we help you find your way through that mess without losing yourself or your head in the process.

Ready to break the cycle and start asking ‘why’?

Chime in below with an absurd corporate practice you’ve spotted!

Let’s get the conversation started. Together, we can create better organisations.