Accomplish Quote by Jerry Pournelle
![“In any bureaucracy, the people devoted to the benefit of the bureaucracy itself always get in control, and those dedicated to the goals the bureaucracy is supposed to accomplish have less and less influence, and sometimes are eliminated entirely.[Pournelle's law of Bureaucracy]” quote by Jerry Pournelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a1a/jerry-pournelle-10851_accomplish_in-any-bureaucracy-the-people-devoted-to_701805.jpg)
“In any bureaucracy, the people devoted to the benefit of the bureaucracy itself always get in control, and those dedicated to the goals the bureaucracy is supposed to accomplish have less and less influence, and sometimes are eliminated entirely.[Pournelle's law of Bureaucracy]”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Pournelle's Law of Bureaucracy, 1970s
Bureaucracies tend to be run by those who protect the system, not by those who serve its purpose, leading to loss of mission focus.
In simple terms: Bureaucracy self‑preserves, sidelining mission.
Key Takeaway
Guard mission purpose against self‑interest.
Themes
bureaucracy
power
mission
control
self‑interest
Mood
cautious
critical
analytical
Type
observational
critical
When to use this quote
- corporate management
- government agencies
- non‑profits
- policy implementation
Key Concepts
organizational dynamics
institutional inertia
goal drift
Questions to Reflect On
- How can mission‑driven leaders retain influence?
- What safeguards prevent mission drift?
A Different Perspective
Self‑preservation can stifle innovation and responsiveness.
![“[The Community's] crosses and trials give me confidence. But I derive my hope above all, and most especially, from our utter incapacity, for it is always upon nothingness that God is pleased to rear His works. If at any day we accomplish some good here, the glory will certainly be His alone, since…” quote by Theodore Guerin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2b8/theodore-guerin-54729_accomplish_the-community-s-crosses-and-trials-give_7176.jpg)
