A specter that roams the offices and sows confusion. It’s the ghost of role confusion.
The story goes like this:
“Once upon a time, there were four people: Everyone, Someone, Anyone, and No One. There was an important task to be done, and Everyone was asked to do it. Everyone was sure that Someone would do it. Anyone could have done it, but No One did it. Someone got angry because it was Everyone’s job. Everyone thought Anyone could do it, but No One realized that Anyone wouldn’t do it. At the end of this story, Everyone blames Someone because No One did what Anyone could have done.”
At first glance, this may seem like a lighthearted fable, but it exposes a deeper issue that exists in many organizations. Roles are not clear. Who is responsible for what? Who takes the lead when things get tough? And who is held accountable when nothing happens?
The consequence of this role confusion is not just frustration but also lost productivity, missed opportunities, and, in the worst case, failed projects.
To banish the ghost of role confusion, organizations can establish clear roles and responsibilities. Every employee should know what is expected of them and what responsibilities come with their role.
If the specter of role confusion is too close for comfort, If you need some help to banish it, or if you simply want to light a candle in the darkness of uncertainty, Feel free to reach out to me. Together, we can exorcise this specter and bring clarity back to your organization!