Often, Governance isn’t the problem. It’s the overuse.

I was working with a client recently who told me governance was slowing them down. But it wasn’t the governance itself. It was how often people were using it.

Teams were seeking sign-off for things that didn’t need it.

When we looked closer, the issue wasn’t bureaucracy. It was confidence. People didn’t feel certain about what needed permission, so they assumed everything might.

Take Action

If you're a leader

Spell out what actually needs permission - and what doesn’t. Create simple thresholds around financial impact, reputational risk and scale. Make it clear that within these thresholds, people have permission to act.

If you're a team member

Don’t assume you need to go through governance, ask. But don’t just clarify the question at hand - be your future friend and use it as an opportunity to clarify the boundaries.

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