Heh, "pockets of correct behavior" is an interesting perspective, truly reads like an insider view, I certainly would not have put it like that.
The problem in the informal culture is that insisting on formality (the authentication check can never not be a formality) is perceived as a signal "they don't like me". That's a huge incentive for cutting corners, both up and down the hierarchy. In an environment that prides itself in formality, it's at least possible to sell going through the motions as a sign of respect. The failure mode I'm talking about is not what's happening the day the boss doesn't have their keys (that's challenging in any environment, and certainly not easy on the authoritative end of the spectrum), but how likely it is that the absent keys would even come up, how often a check will actually happen. Lack of procedures is the defining quality of informal organizations.
When it's routine, the orderly refusal is not so much "but you have to do this properly" (underling ordering boss around) but "you know that I can't do that without.." (underling showing off being a good underling)
The problem in the informal culture is that insisting on formality (the authentication check can never not be a formality) is perceived as a signal "they don't like me". That's a huge incentive for cutting corners, both up and down the hierarchy. In an environment that prides itself in formality, it's at least possible to sell going through the motions as a sign of respect. The failure mode I'm talking about is not what's happening the day the boss doesn't have their keys (that's challenging in any environment, and certainly not easy on the authoritative end of the spectrum), but how likely it is that the absent keys would even come up, how often a check will actually happen. Lack of procedures is the defining quality of informal organizations.
When it's routine, the orderly refusal is not so much "but you have to do this properly" (underling ordering boss around) but "you know that I can't do that without.." (underling showing off being a good underling)