Organizations must have documented policies and standard operating procedures.  But dogmatice adherence to these procedutes creates bureaucrats, not leaders.  I have observed middle managers who appeared as prisoners of the organizational policies and standard procedures.  Senior leaders must delegate some authority to deviate from the standards when good judgment and common sense prevail.  However, middle managers should inform senior management when and why they deviated to ensure that senior management retains the necessary trust and confidence in the decision-maker.