# What is an Organizational Problem By:: [[Ross Jackson]] 2023-05-16 Organizations have two types of problems. The first type of problem is those which are officially recognized by those in power. These problems can be defined as “organizational problems,” insofar as they exist under the auspices of those with authority to declare their existence and resource their resolution. The other type of problem which resides inside an organization and is recognized only by those without authority to make them official, are problems “of” the organization. While semantically similar, there are important operative distinctions between organizational problems and problems of the organization. As indicated, organizational problems are recognized and confronted. Problems of the organization are largely ignored by those in power to the extent they can be. When they are not ignored management often engages in gaslighting the workforce. This is a fundamental aspect of modern organizations that reveals asymmetry between management and workers. Management does what it wants, when it wants, ignores what it wants, and expects those under its direction to get in line. There is a group of Americans that often suggests that those engaged in business would make excellent political leaders because business leaders know how to execute work efficiently and get things done (…which is “what is needed in Washington, D.C.”). There are serious flaws with this thinking. The one flaw related to the point developed here is that those engaged in the leadership of businesses are successful, in part, by steamrolling over, ignoring, or marginalizing any view inconsistent with the ones that strokes their ego. These are horrible characteristics of politicians and humans. Why would we democratically elect a leader whose only track record is a demonstrated ability to act as a dictator? #### Related Items [[Organizational Analytics]] [[Management]] [[Problem Solving]] [[Leadership]] [[Power]]