It encourages isolationism, not collaboration
The CYA mantra insists that work be done in vacuums at your cubicles. As long as you take care of your part of the load – everyone is fine.
Not so.
If I’m only making sure that what I do gets done – how am I ensuring the success of my team? I’m not. I’m selfishly (and blindly) leaving bits and pieces out of the intricate work equation. I ask just enough questions to get my work done (maybe). I get just enough information to figure out my next steps (maybe).
I don’t know what the guy in the next cube does all day, but why bother? I’m covering my ass.
A CYA atmosphere is certainly very productive, but it most likely isn’t very innovative. Employees will do what works. They will function like the appropriate cog within the machine quite well.
And, to hell with everything else.
Why?
Because predictable results easier to manage instead of the trouble a mistake may cause (even the benefits of discovering how to take work to a whole new level don’t pose enough incentive).
The trouble atmosphere
I don’t know abot you, but I don’t want to work anywhere that intimates that if I were to make a mistake –it’s the end of the world, thus the need for covering my ass. This is the kind of atmosphere the CYA mantra breeds. It inappropriately suggests that trouble is ahead for mistake makers.
You are rewarded for things done right, but you may not learn anything in the process.
And, isn’t learning something new the whole point?
Celebrating Mistakes
Short of a grossly egregious error, mistakes are a part of any job. As long as humans are doing PR, manufacturing and finance – mistakes will be made.
The real trouble comes from not learning from your mistakes. Therefore, if you (or your organization) want to grow, the CYA mantra has no business manifesting itself in the minds of employees or managers.
If you want to read more about why mistakes should be celebrated, read this post at the Chief Happiness Officer.