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The thing is that this exists just as well in hierarchical groups though. I've yet to encounter an organization where the hierarchical structure accurately repr
by mtrimpe 13y ago
The thing is that this exists just as well in hierarchical groups though. I've yet to encounter an organization where the hierarchical structure accurately represents the actual power structure.
What's happening here is that in flat organizations it's the -only- power structure and thus becomes more pronounced to our brains which are hard-wired to pattern match for the social power structures.
Another way of looking at this is to see the hierarchical power structure as an abstraction that evolved to address the discomfort (some) people have with a more fluid power structure like at Valve.
The interesting part here is that different people have different tolerance for this though; so much so that it's one of Hofstede's main cultural dimensions called 'Power distance'. [2]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hofstede%27s_cultural_dimensions_theory#Dimensions_of_national_cultures http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hofstede%27s_cultural_dimension...
- hannibal5 13y agoFormal hierarchies allow better distribution of responsibility and separation of personal relationships from work relationships. They also enable less politically/socially savvy people to get into powerful positions with their merit. Informal power structures in hierarchal groups have less power and they happen only between peers. In informal hierarchies relationships become personal and political. In anarchy, everything is politics and personal.
- DrJokepu 13y agoIs it actually a good idea to put less politically/socially savvy people into powerful positions?
- hannibal5 13y agoIf they have better knowledge, ideas and get better results, yes.
- mtrimpe 13y agoFrom what I can tell your comment essentially reaffirms what I said, except that on this part: > Informal power structures in hierarchal groups have less power and they happen only between peers. I think, unless you work in a very strict command-and-control style company, you're heavily underestimating the influence of the average informal power structure.