It’s The Singer, Not The Song

bull; DANNY MEYERDEALING with public and private sector bureaucracy is challenging, and requires careful handling without losing your cool. Countries have laws to regulate how things should be done, and the consequences of non compliance.

In turn, private sector entities are guided by a manual that sets out their institutional rules, policies and procedures. Staff members are expected to comply, failing which they run the risk of punishment, even suspension and ultimately dismissal.

The same applies to a state owned enterprise (SOE). SOE employees are expected to adhere to policies and procedures set by government, often supplemented by more rules decreed by the line ministry under which that SOE operates.

To deviate, hark back to allegations of promiscuous behaviour levelled at an SOE head. It was mooted as grounds for dismissal. Not so, said legal and human resources pundits, their opinion being that an SOE’s board has no legal right to deal with a bedroom issue, unless it becomes a work performance matter.

Not quite sure of the outcome as public interest waned and the media hype vanished.

Back to bureaucracy, laws, rules and regulations and policies and procedures whose aim is to make things run smoother in a country. Also in business and more specifically so if it is a corporate firm. Some say rules and regulations are restrictive and prescriptive, actually making life harder. This is a myopic view, as organised society or business cannot exist or function properly outside specified boundaries.

Somebody has to collect taxes, enforce road traffic laws, monitor entry or exit at a border post or check on health and safety regulations at the workplace. Fortunately at times and under certain circumstances, even if rules cannot be broken, provision exists for flexibility.

As for the public sector, hierarchically there are individuals delegated the authority to consider scenarios, review cases and then make a ruling. Place yourself in the shoes of a civil servant. Will ranting and raving encourage that frontline person attending to you to willingly help explore and find a tolerable solution?

Entrepreneurs and especially those who own an enterprise in start up phase will know that bureaucracy in the private sector can be equally challenging to what is encountered in local and central government. Try navigating the complexity of registering with a corporate firm as a vendor before they even consider procuring goods or services. Getting paid on time is another story.

The bottom line is that when dealing with bureaucrats, be sure to be guided by the adage that it is not the song, but how you sing it. By the way, it’s not the song but the singer was popularised by a British movie made in 1961, and further promoted by a 1965 hit ‘The Singer, Not the Song’ of iconic pop group The Rolling Stones.

A classic film set in a Mexican village with superb acting by the legendary John Mills as a priest and Dirk Bogarde as a ruthless bandit, ‘The Singer Not the Song’ is based on a 1953 novel by Audrey Erskine Lindop. Produced in 1961, the film quite controversially developed a cult following over the years.

It is a good versus evil story with a powerful message. The priest comes to save villagers from a bandit. Willing to change and become a better person, the bandit abhors corruption and hypocrisy, and resultantly shuns the church.

This week’s column ends with the opening lyrics of The Rolling Stones’ hit:

The same old places and the same old songs

We’ve been going there for much too long

There’s something wrong

And it gives me that feeling inside

That I know I must be right, it’s the singer not the song.

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