?? The Hidden Power of Companies: Informal Structures ??

In every company, there’s more than meets the eye. Behind the official organizational charts and job titles lies a hidden force – the informal structures. ?? These secret networks influence decisions, spread (sometimes inaccurate) information, and shape the workplace in ways that no formal chart could ever capture. So, what are these mysterious informal structures, and how do they work?

What Are Informal Structures? ??

Informal structures are the underground network of personal relationships, interactions, and support systems that develop among employees. ?? They come from casual conversations, daily socializing, and the occasional after-work hangout. Think of them as the unspoken communication lines that connect people outside the formal hierarchy.

How Do They Form?

? ?? Lunch Break Bonds: Spending time together during breaks or outside the office.

? ?? Shared Interests: Common hobbies or opinions on work policies.

? ?? Daily Interactions: Regular conversations that turn into a mutual trust network.

Why Are They So Powerful? ??♂???♀?

? Trust Is Key: The glue of these informal networks is mutual trust ??.

? Hard to Spot: No official titles, no visibility, making them tricky to monitor ??.

? Influential Personalities: There’s always that one person who knows everything (and everyone)??.

? Free-Flowing Info: These networks are great at sharing information… sometimes too great ??.

? Personal Loyalty: Strong bonds lead to loyalty, often stronger than formal structures expect ??.

The Dark Side of Informal Structures ???♂?

Not everything is sunshine and rainbows in the land of informal networks. ?? While they help in building relationships, they also bring challenges:

? ? Shadow Communication: Preferential informal channels over the official ones can lead to missed or incorrect information ??.

? ??? Gossip Central: These networks can be breeding grounds for false information or rumors.

? ?? Weakened Formal Structures: Decisions might bypass official leadership, causing weaker coordination ??.

? ?? Losing Valuable Leaders: Loyal, effective leaders may feel sidelined by the rising influence of informal networks.

? ??? Resource Drain: These structures can consume valuable company time and resources ???.

How to Tame the Informal Beast ??

You can’t eliminate informal structures, but you can definitely guide them:

? ?? Boost Organizational Culture: Create programs that reinforce the official culture and help align these informal networks with company goals.

? ?? Team-Building Events: Use offsite events to bring everyone closer and foster better relationships across formal and informal lines.

? ?? Clarify Official Channels: Make sure everyone knows where to go for important information.

? ?? Engage Influencers: Invite key players from these networks into decision-making processes so they can work with the company, not against it.

Now, take a look at Phase 1 vs. Phase 2 of the company structure in the image below. Notice how informal structures evolve over time and infiltrate different parts of the formal organization? ?? That’s the hidden power at play! Don’t ignore these structures – learn how to harness them for good.