Hierarchy the only hope in crisis? LO23061

Gavin Ritz (garritz@xtra.co.nz)
Sun, 31 Oct 1999 16:46:04 +1300

Replying to LO23032 --

Hi Michael

I am not much of a fan of hierarchy but after studying Elliot Jaques',
cognitive theories and applied some of them I have begun to look at MAH 's
(Managerial accountability Hierarchy) he calls them, in a different light.
He argues that hierarchy is really linked to cognitive power, a must read
for anti hierarchy fans. Also Russell Ackoff puts forward the democratic
hierarchy which also has some merits much like cross functional teams or
boards that manage at the different levels. I have also my self observed a
company that truly fell to pieces trying to develop self directed work
teams. Senge is a fan of Elliot's by the way.

I suppose whatever works in whatever environment might be the answer. The
irony with companies is that the most successful are in the large
democracies of the the world creating huge wealth behaving like they were
in the last century, interesting subject this.

Kindest
Gavin

Michael Erickson wrote:

> Being no fan of heirarchy in any form, I can only point out what happens
> among people at the point of a true disastor. If you recall the "self
> organization" that occurrs when a hurricane hits a town, or something like
> the school/church shootings happen.
>
> People who are lator called "heros" step up and do what ever it is that is
> required to bring aid, save lives, fight the bad guy...

-- 

Gavin Ritz <garritz@xtra.co.nz>

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