At the local hiking spot, the parking lot is a large gravel area. The area that accommodates three cars always has three, because it is obvious how cars should be parked. In another larger area, somedays people park in a way seven cars can fit. Other days, people space out and only four cars fit. Human nature often leads to having less capacity than if lines were in place that guided people to the most optimal fit.
The same is true at work. Having guidelines helps people achieve the optimal work. The point isn’t to micromanage or have no rules and let people flounder. It is to have the boundaries set so people know where to go.
How are you doing at setting guidelines?