Or are you just making a more general statement that a system can be irrational while demonstrating above average rationality?
Yes, this.
On an arbitrary scale I just made up, below 100 degrees of rationality is “irrational”, and 0 degrees of rationality is “ordinary”. 50 is extraordinarily rational and yet irrational.
50 while you’re thinking you’re at 100 is being an extraordinary loser (overconfidence leads to big failures)
In any case this is just word play. Holden seen many organizations that are/were more rational, that’s probably what he means by lack of extraordinary rationality.
Yes, this.
On an arbitrary scale I just made up, below 100 degrees of rationality is “irrational”, and 0 degrees of rationality is “ordinary”. 50 is extraordinarily rational and yet irrational.
50 while you’re thinking you’re at 100 is being an extraordinary loser (overconfidence leads to big failures)
In any case this is just word play. Holden seen many organizations that are/were more rational, that’s probably what he means by lack of extraordinary rationality.