The traditional closed offices where information is shared between a few at the top, then decisions are handed down through channels of managers and on to the workers at the front line is fading. This inherent change is uncomfortable for some, but advantageous for others. Businesses and executive buildings are tearing down the walls and closed-in spaces, so that the typical maze of offices and cubicles can be replaced by open spaces. These are signs of more horizontal systems taking shape, but the point isn’t about architecture. If form follows function, then these changes are evidence that new thinking that has landed.
In 2002, Harlan Cleveland in his book, “Nobody in Charge”, predicted that the future of management structures will change from vertical to horizontal, and will force leadership models to change with it. The common definition and the understanding of leadership is moving away from the typical image of the hero riding into chaos and commanding a team of followers into victory.
Cleveland defined the old industrialized 20th century organizational model as “pyramidism”. He contrasts this with describing today’s 21st century environment as “the age of people power”. Ultimately what does this shift mean for you, your team, and your organization? The performance of organization depends on how active the vision is among its workers. Do the systems in place run on the power of its people or mostly rely ideas to come down from from leaders? Top-to-down decision making approaches can cause your organization to be stagnant. Avoid 20th century pyramidism and strengthen your ability to lead the horizontal organization. Your team and organization will thrive with the ideas and skills it needs to meet its goals.