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Managing people|To Be a Better Leader, Give Up Authority
Managing people

To Be a Better Leader, Give Up Authority

by A.D. Amar, Carsten Hentrich and Vlatka Hlupic

From the Magazine (December 2009)

Summary.   

Reprint: F0912A In chaotic times like these, an executive’s instinct may be to strive for greater efficiency by tightening control. At least two companies, CSC Germany and ANADIGICS, have done the opposite—to impressive effect.
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In chaotic times, an executive’s instinct may be to strive for greater efficiency by tightening control. But the truth is that relinquishing authority and giving employees considerable autonomy can boost innovation and success at knowledge firms, even during crises. Our research provides hard evidence that leaders who give in to the urge to clamp down can end up doing their companies a serious disservice.

Read more on Managing people or related topic Delegating
A version of this article appeared in the December 2009 issue of Harvard Business Review.
Read more on Managing people or related topic Delegating

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