Even dictators are frustrated by bureaucracy

by Dale Davidson March 18, 2026

The WSJ had a funny article about the Chinese government being frustrated by its own bureaucracy.

China’s Plan B to Save the Economy: A Crusade Against Busywork

President Xi has mandated that its various government entities stop being so focused on things like daily reporting of their work, vanity projects, and nonsense activities in order to actually do, you know, real work.

"The directive to supervisors: Hold fewer meetings and make them shorter. Cut superfluous paperwork. Don’t burden the 'grassroots'—local-level government workers—with cumbersome and unproductive tasks. Stop using phone apps to track staff and bombard them with instructions. Don’t overwhelm them with performance reviews, lest they focus on pleasing their bosses rather than getting work done."

It's funny to me that even a dictator can't get his own government to do things.

The article describes the incentives at play. Chinese bureaucrats fear that if they do anything actually innovative or that brings value, they will be punished for deviating from government dictates.

And...they're probably right!

Though you're unlikely to be imprisoned in the US, almost all bureaucracies have similar incentive structures, and, they probably frustrate your clients too.

So if you, as an aspiring or current 1099, are willing to take a little professional risk and take action that delivers value instead of focusing on rules and reporting, you will stand out to your client.

Don't be a bureaucrat.

Your dictator ... I mean client, will thank you.

Want the full playbook? Check out Going 1099.