The Fiefdom Syndrome: The Turf Battles That Undermine Careers and Companies—And How to Overcome Them

Summary

Is your company threatened by turf battles, shut out of key data sources by territorial “lords,” or ravaged by hundreds of “micro-companies?” If so, your organization may be suffering from a potentially crippling case of “Fiefdom Syndrome.” Robert Herbold, former COO of Microsoft, presents a wealth of case studies from the usual (and always interesting) suspects—IBM, Proctor and Gamble, Microsoft, and Wal-Mart—to illustrate an affliction that affects for-profit and non-profit organizations alike.

Like headaches, fiefdoms can become a persistent problem and if left untreated, can send organizations into an endless loop of deteriorating health and repeated investigations into the cause. Prudent companies will take Herbold’s advice and learn how to prevent and treat their little fiefdom problem.