The modern obsession with big data is only fuelling these (doomed) attempts at greater centralisation and control.

I wonder what it will take for leaders to realise that the people who work "beneath" them are no less intelligent, wise or knowledgable about improving the system in which they work?

And if leaders believe so strongly in data, why do they not lead by example and first apply it to their own performance?

Data is critical to improvement - but so is proximity to the work and improvement is everyone's responsibility, not the preserve of gods.