Efficiency Isn’t Efficient If It Stops People Getting Things Done

Stopping processes designed to make things better from actually making them worse

WELCOME! My first-ever Freewheeling Bitesize is about… my mum!

The BBC once tried to fix inefficiency by creating internal markets and centralising access to talent.

My mum, who helped run BBC Books, used to commission titles by picking up the phone (calling, for example, Michael Palin’s agent directly) and getting things done.

Under the new system, she spent more time navigating approvals than publishing books. Eventually, she left to set up her own business.

When systems take precedence over outcomes, organisations lose their best people -not to burnout, but to boredom.

👉 Here’s my mum’s story from the Freewheeling blog.

Take Action

If you're a leader

Pick one internal process this month. Ask the person who uses it most: “Does this help you do better work - or just slower work?” Make sure you want the truth. Make sure they know you want the truth. Be ready to simplify.

If you're a team member

Next time a process slows you down, write a two-line brief: what’s blocked and what would unblock it. Share it with someone who can help.