Problem Evolution
Recently, I read this and have been thinking about it ever since. The article describes "problem evolution"--the notion that problems evolve over time to evade a manager's attempts to solve them. This explains why a new manager quickly solves "intractable" problems that a predecessor couldn't. A fresh approach, a different perspective--in essence, a new predator--disrupts the natural order of the problem ecosystem. But over time, natural selection weeds out the weak and easy prey--and another manager is facing problems that can't be solved.
What a neat idea.
Our work environment adapts to management. Once status quo is reached, management is in equilibrium with the problems that remain whether they frustrate the staff or not. It's one reason that some companies won't choose to promote from within. The irony is, given time, we are all "from within."
While laboratory workers can't control all evolutionary forces--think asteroids and dinosaurs--they can control behavior. They can control decisions, reactions and, to a certain extent, the perspective that defines problems. This is important, because work silos, lack of staff, difficult personalities, questions about competency, time management and others are basically people problems. A new manager gets people to look at things differently. The trick is to always be "new."
Our environment is always changing; our perspective tends to stay put. We have to see things differently--through education, site visits, self-talk, weekly huddles, whatever it takes--to really solve the "unsolvable" problems. If we don't, they will surely grow flippers and swim just out of reach.