Some of the most successful organizations in the world-companies like Toyota, Nordstrom, Johnsonville Foods, Harley-Davidson, SEMCO, AES, and Patagonia-have demonstrated an ability to survive in a bad economy and thrive when the economy is good. How have they done it? Mainly by expecting their employees to take responsibility. These organizations, and others like them, have learned that centralizing controls and pushing for greater efficiencies actually...