4.2 Structure and Process

I would like to establish a comparison between the “retrospective sensemaking” and structure on organizations. On page 21 of textbook we see that when people describe their lives to others they tend to highlight the main experienced facts, instead of narrating everything that has ever happened. And this is called retrospective sensemaking; on the other hand, companies have their procedures – which shape how they are, and compose their history.

Experiences contribute to bring meaning to people’s lives. One could not make sense of himself/herself if nothing had ever happened. By the same token, organizations also need to have some structure – such as policies, which dictate some of the key things that are expected from the employees, e.g., behavior, dress code, and so forth.

The author reinforces that although there is no process without structure, “too much structure constraints, limits creativity, and leads to alienation and boredom.” I believe that companies should strive for some balance when they define their procedures, so that people have time to get used to it, and do not refute it just because at the first moment it does not make too much sense.

Garota de Ipanema