In "Strategy and the Fat Smoker," David H. Maister emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the empowerment of individuals within an organization rather than focusing solely on adherence to structures and processes. He suggests that organizations should create frameworks that serve to enhance and support their people, positioning empowerment as the core value in decision-making.

Maister argues that while some structure and procedure are necessary, they should primarily aim to foster individual capability and growth. The key takeaway is that successful organizations recognize that elevating their workforce leads to better performance, as empowered employees are more engaged and motivated to contribute effectively.