I have to write some rules for my small team and I decided not to get entangled in the rule makers' web of bureaucracy but to emphasize the expression working culture instead. Sometimes it would be really easy to work with strict rules in order to know when you can be satisfied with your input as well as knowing when your boss is. But strict rules easily creates a culture where people start to scrutinize other people’s doings instead of putting their energy on creating something innovative. In that sense strict rules can be energy thieves and instead of being just guidelines they start to be the most important issue in your work. The rules rule. And by this we foster more or less a culture of Management by perkele (authoritarian leadership see more here) But I can understand that when time is scarce you maybe have to skip the consensus and listening mode. And on the other hand you cannot work without guidelines if you want to enable equality as we people work so differently.

But being an idealist I still believe more in spiritual leadership where the employees are empowered and trusted and rules are not the issue. The employee’s own learning process and spiritual development are thus seen as the starting point when striving towards a more innovative professionalism. I have been truly inspired by the book ”Spiritual leadership” by metropolitan Ambrosius, professor Henrikki Tikkanen and the executive vice president Timo Kietäväinen (here). I will finish this posting by quoting them: "An organization that values human beings emphasizes and encourages open interaction and discussion (page 77)” and ”The inner rhythm and spiritual mood of the individual are often left un-observed in leadership…The daily working hours is an example of this…Almost half of the people want to sleep longer and work in the evening instead…People are creative at different times of the day and even the year. When we don’t take this into consideration when planning flexible work time, we will loose their most innovative hours” (39-40)