Frederick Winslow Taylor, an American mechanical engineer, published his "Principles of Scientific Management" over 100 years ago in which he laid out Industrial-era organization and decision theory.

“I thought that was OK because it didn’t say I couldn’t do that in the SOP.” Have you ever heard that from one of your crewmembers when you confronted them for making a mistake or bad judgment call?

Some leaders equate discipline with strict rules, fast answers and minimal tolerance for deviation, especially in high-pressure situations. This mindset can quietly slide into rigidity, narrowing ...