In both the private and public sectors, overreliance on rigid procedures and a fear of deviating from established norms have created a troubling trend. Decisions aimed at protecting institutional or personal interests often lead to costly and inefficient outcomes, both in the short and long term. This modern phenomenon reflects an increasing reliance on procedure over critical thinking and common sense, undermining professions and systems where adaptability and practical judgment are vital.
The Private Sector: Short-Term and Long-Term Harm
In the private sector, employees frequently stick to established protocols out of fear of being blamed or punished for any deviations. This strict focus on rules often blocks innovation and creative problem-solving, leading to a reliance on “the way things have always been done.” For example, in customer service industries, failing to adapt or consider the general implications of stiff policies can lead to immediate financial harm.
Take the case of a customer support agent handling a missing-parts issue for a product. Instead of following a rule designed to limit delivery costs, the agent prioritized customer satisfaction, unintentionally setting off a chain of costly events. Multiple trucks were sent for pickups and deliveries, far exceeding the cost of the original product. What started as a €80 sale ended with the company absorbing over €150 in logistics costs. This example highlights how a lack of training in practical problem-solving—combined with procedural stiffness—can quickly create short-term financial damage.
The Public Sector: Bureaucratic Self-Preservation Over Justice
The public sector is equally affected by this trend. In Germany, institutions often prioritize their own protection and procedural consistency over responsibility and fairness. When faced with clear mistakes, officials commonly redirect responsibility elsewhere, avoiding direct resolution. This approach not only delays solutions but also damages trust in public systems.
Consider the case of a parent attempting to resolve their children’s citizenship issue. Despite the error originating from German authorities, they were redirected to the Embassy of the requested person’s country of origin, instead of receiving direct assistance. This deflection of responsibility exemplifies how bureaucratic self-preservation takes precedence over justice and practicality, leaving individuals to navigate unnecessary hurdles created by the very institutions meant to serve them.
A Broader Crisis: The Death of Common Sense
The growing reliance on rigid procedures has led to the erosion of common sense in decision-making. Historically, professions like teaching, caregiving, and policing relied heavily on individual judgment. These roles demand a level of empathy and flexibility that cannot be reduced to a set of rules. Yet, increasing regulation and oversight in these fields now hinders professionals from fulfilling their fundamental purpose.
Moreover, the lack of common sense in decision-making often results in both immediate and long-term harm. Companies and institutions that prioritize outdated rules over practical solutions risk damaging their reputations, losing resources, and alienating the very people they aim to serve.
A Call to Action: Restoring Balance
The overreliance on procedures and dismissal of practical judgment in both the private and public sectors has far-reaching consequences. In the German institutional framework, this issue is particularly acute. Without common sense, even the justice system struggles to provide solutions. If courts still applied common sense as a guiding principle, they could counteract the failures of rigid institutional processes. Similarly, companies that fail to activate commonsense solutions or evaluate problems through practical judgment will remain trapped by outdated rules, suffering both short-term and long-term consequences.
To address this crisis, businesses and public institutions must strike a balance between procedural consistency and the application of common sense. Training employees to assess situations critically, empowering them to make practical decisions, and fostering a culture of accountability are essential steps. These measures will ensure that both private companies and public institutions serve their true purpose—providing value, fairness, and justice to those they serve.
Conclusion: The Need for Common Sense in a Procedural World
The excessive reliance on strict rules and the fear of accountability have created a systemic problem. Whether in the private sector, where short-term financial losses stem from ignoring simple logic, or in public institutions, where self-preservation takes precedence over fairness, this mindset undermines the integrity of our systems. Professions and institutions once defined by empathy and adaptability are now hindered by procedures that leave little room for practical solutions.
To move forward, common sense should be reintroduced as a cornerstone of decision-making. By balancing structure with flexibility, companies and institutions can better serve the people and communities they aim to support. Through this shift, further erosion of trust, fairness, and justice can be prevented in both the public and private spheres.