Widgets: The 12 New Rules for Managing Your Employees as if They're Real People

THE ELEVENTH RULE

Let Them Lead

THERE WAS NOTHING THE LEADERSHIP OF THE PRODUCTION PLANT IN the American Midwest could do to stop its closing.

Their industry was in decline. A digital alternative was chewing up market share faster than the traditional players could adjust. And so the announcement came from headquarters that of 60 plants operating around the United States, 40 would be closed.

“The decision regarding which plants to close wasn’t performance-based, but rather was determined by the plants’ proximity to large postal centers,” said one of the plant’s leaders, who asked his name not be used because he was speaking without clearance from his former employer. “Our plant wasn’t located in a place that would make sense to keep it open.” ...