Hierarchy in
organizations is obsolete. There is a better way: one that increases
the engagement of employees and managers alike, reduces micromanaging
and other limiting approaches, and promotes organizational and
individual success.
In this book,
self-management expert Samantha Slade presents seven concrete
practices to help your organization flatten its existing hierarchy
and develop a horizontal organization. The result will be enhanced
creativity, greater growth, and an increased employee retention and
productivity--and a better bottom line.
These days, more
than ever, successful organizations must respond quickly and nimbly
to change--they need every employee's best thinking. A horizontal
organization creates an environment of true collaboration, respect,
and openness. It allows everyone more freedom to express
unconventional ideas or to work through issues that are getting in
the way of organizational goals. And it's a more human way to
organize--after all, we function perfectly well in our day-to day
lives without someone telling us what to do.
But when an
organization decides to go horizontal, it can be overwhelming for
both managers and employees. Slade offers a practical, proven,
incremental method to help organizations of all kinds and sizes ease
in to a non-hierarchical model. She includes techniques for using
your organization's purpose to stay focused and aligned, developing
shared decision-making, creating a mutual feedback culture, nurturing
autonomy, holding co-managed meetings, and maintaining an environment
of collective learning.
Going Horizontal
will help organizations become more adaptive, collaborative and
innovative, which is vital in today's highly competitive and
constantly-evolving world.