Formal & Informal Organizations
Thoughts on leadership, offered by our own Carlos Frum
At a recent meeting, I asked our speaker, Mina Zikri, conductor of the Northbrook Symphony Orchestra, how a conductor deals with the informal organization within an orchestra. He was an excellent speaker, and my question arose from an interest in how organizations actually function. He replied that he was aware of these informal channels of influence and noted that many of the influential individuals were section leaders. An informal leader can also hold a formal position.
Every organization—whether an office, corporation, club, or orchestra—has a formal structure. Its hierarchy may be represented by a manager, president, executive committee, or conductor. These officially designated leaders possess clearly defined responsibilities and authority.
Alongside this formal structure, however, an informal organization usually develops. Its leaders may not hold official titles, but other members trust their judgment and turn to them when questions, concerns, or disagreements arise. Sometimes people bring issues to these informal leaders because, for one reason or another, they are reluctant to approach the person officially in charge. Informal authority is often shared among respected, experienced, or charismatic members.
An informal leader may be an experienced employee or longtime member who can answer questions and offer advice. Such a person may sometimes resolve a problem or encourage change without requiring the formal intervention—or possible penalties—that an executive might employ.
Informal leadership can also emerge through personality and circumstance. A respected or charismatic person may gain influence because others value that individual’s experience, discretion, judgment, or ability to bring people together.
Wise leaders recognize both levels of an organization. The formal structure establishes responsibility and authority, while the informal structure reveals how trust, influence, and communication operate in practice. Understanding both is essential to effective leadership.
Image sourced from a royalty-free site: Vecteezy
