Control-centric

Describing a system, process, or individual primarily focused on maintaining and exerting control. It emphasizes the prioritization of command, regulation, and influence over other considerations like collaboration, autonomy, or flexibility. This approach often manifests in a hierarchical structure where decision-making is centralized, information flow is tightly managed, and deviations from established protocols are strictly monitored. It can be seen as an overarching concept in the structure of systems, or the mentality of a person.

Control-centric meaning with examples

• The company's control-centric management style, characterized by top-down directives and limited employee autonomy, stifled innovation and caused significant employee turnover. Employees felt restricted by the strict rules and lacking trust from upper management. The rigid structure hindered adapting to rapidly changing market demands, causing stagnation and impacting profit margins.
• A control-centric operating system places a strong emphasis on security features and permissions, giving the administrator extensive oversight of user activities and application installations. While this enhances system security, users have expressed concerns about their privacy. This level of control limits the ease of customization and usage, and is more restrictive.
• The government implemented a control-centric surveillance program, raising concerns about privacy violations and erosion of civil liberties, under the guise of national security. The program granted extensive authority to monitor communications and track movements, without oversight or warrants. Critics argued these measures were a step towards an authoritarian regime.
• A control-centric personality struggles with delegation, micromanaging tasks and distrusting others' capabilities, resulting in inefficient workflows and high levels of personal stress. This lack of trust caused burnout and a low morale amongst the workforce. These individuals often have high levels of anxiety and struggle with change, leading to a sense of over-work.