Governance has received growing attention, not only from researchers, but also from politicians and practitioners of social development all around the world.
The understanding and usage of the concept, however, is rather heterogeneous.
Governance, for many, is in itself a structure that follows and directs us through a process. It sets the rules, procedures and other guidelines to reinforce 'how we should do things around here'.
Over recent decades, the field of governance has produced all variety of different models to further our understanding of it. To try and put sense around the reality rather than just theory.
What these models fail to do, so often, is show the versatility that governance actually affords our organisations. We barely see this because of the steady shift towards codes and regulatory requirements. It's become a burden.
But,
What if governance isn't in fact the burden, but the opportunity?
What if we try to make it more flexible?
What if we try to make it more adaptable and a facilitator towards better?
Building our governance in such manner that it supports, even nurtures, our purpose, our values and our behaviours, means that it's inextricably connected to the culture that exists in our organisations. Connecting it to culture actually makes it more flexible. Decision-making can be driven by both a process and value-based ethos.
We do not know what the future governance holds, except for the fact that it is likely to become more and more critical for all businesses. We do know that it is of increasing concern to all organisations, governments and increasingly our communities. It can only be preserved when its roots are protected and allowed to grow, for the welfare of all humans and for the sustainable and economic growth and protection of our planet.
Evidence suggests that countries which demonstrate the most consistent economic growth and social equality are those that have good governance.
Versatile good governance doesn't just support organisations, it improves societal equanimity.
Acknowledgements
This blog was written with the support and insight of one of our contributors. Thank you, Divya. As an MBA student specifically interested in marketing and culture, she is a contributor to the Perrin Carey blog. If you would like to contribute to moving governance forwards towards a more ethical and human centric framework, please contact Perrin.
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