Rigid versus Flexible Organisations

Organisations that are rigid in their approach to employee management often stem from traditional, hierarchical structures where seniority was prioritised over performance. Today’s organizations, however, are evolving into more fluid and performance-driven models, akin to the dynamics of a nuclear family. This shift presents a unique challenge for HR managers, who must find a balanced approach that honors both the need for structure and the flexibility required to foster individual performance.

As organizations expand, there is a natural tendency toward rigidity, which HR must actively counterbalance. One effective way to gauge an organization's culture is by examining its HR policies. Are they overly detailed, trying to cover every possible scenario, or are they designed with enough flexibility to empower managers and employees to make decisions? HR's role is not just to observe these shifts but to actively shape an adaptive culture that supports growth while maintaining a focus on performance and innovation.