Rigidity happens when my vision of efficiency fails to extend beyond my own workflow. When I neglect to consider how my outputs turn into someone else’s inputs, I become guilty of local optimization in a situation where global optimization is a far more effective pursuit.

Local optimization is a system killer. It slows the flow of information and misuses resources. It says, “I matter more than you.” It’s happening all the time in subtle ways—death by a thousand cuts.

Instead, we use micro experiments; tiny, informal PDSA’s. They’re part of a conscious process that involves collaboration and upfront communication. They generate useful information for global optimization.

A selfish decision probably isn’t conscious, but it certainly isn’t collaborative. The moment I make myself part of a team, I give up the freedom to be the sole owner of a workflow.