HR typically has the whole organization in view – and that’s a good thing. Once a particular case comes up a few times, HR quite rightly starts thinking about a process, an instrument, a policy, a program, or a standard. This makes HR work more professional, clearer, and more consistent.

Too often, however, these efforts end up as costly bureaucracy – especially when they become too rigid, fail to fit real conditions, or make life harder rather than easier for leaders and employees.

Costly bureaucracy usually starts with a good intention. HR departments are right to structure recurring problems in a professional way.

Bureaucracy turns action into execution. Deliberate judgment gives way to rule-based execution. Pure execution is exactly the kind of work AI will eventually do much better.

Less HR is not the answer. The way out of costly bureaucracy is more personal responsibility, risk tolerance, and local flexibility.

Executives, HR leaders, HR professionals, management consultants