1. Gotta Love Bureaucracy
Team Leader Training
Gotta Love Bureaucracy
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2. Gotta Love Bureaucracy
Every year, you manage approximately $300,000 in contracts. Currently you need to have some copies of an older videotaped training program made. After calling around, you find out that one of your contractor contacts is able to do this for about $30. You do not have an active contract with this vendor at the moment.

3. Question & Answer Session
Q1. What do you do? A) Ask the vendor to go ahead and make the copies in order to meet your suspense. B) Go to your chief for advice. C) Talk with the admin person to see if he has any recommendations. D) Look around to other vendors to see if this is possible. E) Other (please specify)

4. Lessons Learned, Slide 1 of 2
Answer: Anything but A. While it seems reasonable to be able to authorize such a small purchase, keep in mind government protocols. First of all, you have no way to get the money to this vendor – ARI’s system is not set up to pay this contractor currently. Also, you can’t just pay the contractor out of your own pocket as the contractor has no way to receive those funds. In this case, you should look for some other avenue. While this is undoubtedly frustrating, you have to work within the confines of the rules as they exist. Ask yourself what kind of a message it would send to others, including your researchers, if they see you violating protocol when it is inconvenient.

5. Lessons Learned, Slide 2 of 2
As constraining as it is sometimes, protocol must be followed.
Develop an understanding of the bureaucracy in which you work.
Know and follow rules and procedures, even if at times they appear senseless, are personally inconvenient, or when violating them seems like trivial or justifiable transgression.
Ask yourself how such violations would look to others.
Set a good example for those around you.
Themes
ARI Knowledge; Integrity and Ethics; Perspective Taking