Empire-building Empire-building

Empire-building - Definition and Overview

In the context of political science and the world at large, it refers to the tendency of countries and nations to acquire resources, land, and economic influence outside of their borders in order to expand their size, power, and wealth. The classic example is the British Empire.

In the context of the business world, this instinct is demonstrated at a human level, where an individual or small group attempts to gain control over key projects and initiatives in order to maximize their job security and promotability. Essentially, the project leadership is hoarding all potential credit and prestige the project can produce. Unfortunately, since the use of this selfish approach prevents other people in the organization from contributing in any meaningful manner, and alternative or competing projects to address the project's goals are aggressively destroyed regardless of their merit, the company suffers as a whole, the projects fail, and the goals of the project are achieved only partially, inadequately, or not at all.

Example Usage of Empire-building

BraunMincher: Working hard today at the PCG Telecom offices in Fort Collins with @CoryDzbinski in empire building and pursuit of world domination!
angiplamb: @alfiehitchcock Ur back on action then? Yay! Can't believe i'm still awake, empire building tomorrow - website, biz cards + the everything
Donovan4Senate: Republicans & Democrats have no intention of leading from the front! This is what comes of empire building! http://tinyurl.com/18r
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