Counterintuitive Facts (37): Why Does Every Great Organization Eventually Become a Zombie?

I. Have you noticed a strange pattern: Startups are often full of passion and fighting spirit, everyone stays up late to make an amazing product. But as companies grow, things start to rot. All kinds of processes, weekly reports, compliance reviews, departmental walls pile up. People who actually do work (write code, visit clients) become fewer and less respected. While those who just meet, make PPTs, play office politics (middle management, admin, HR) multiply and occupy high positions.

II. This isn't coincidental, it's destiny. Sci fi author Jerry Pournelle proposed a cruel law: In any bureaucratic organization, there exist two types of people:

Type One: Those dedicated to achieving "organizational goals" Teachers who want to teach well. Doctors who want to cure patients.