Going Horizontal: Creating a Non-Hierarchical Organization, One Practice at a Time
Samantha Sladeamazon.com
Going Horizontal: Creating a Non-Hierarchical Organization, One Practice at a Time
will need to experiment before it becomes clear what methodology is best suited for a particular context. 4. Where and when decisions are taken. Which of your organization’s decisions must be made in formal meetings? Which decisions can be made online? 5. Documenting and communicating about decisions made. Are the decisions that your organization h
... See moreSamantha Slade • Going Horizontal: Creating a Non-Hierarchical Organization, One Practice at a Time
Going horizontal is not about flipping a switch. It is a deeper, internal shift, with new behaviors and reflexes.
Samantha Slade • Going Horizontal: Creating a Non-Hierarchical Organization, One Practice at a Time
Most people like to be invited to do something rather than required to do something. Organizations tend to forget this, but in a horizontal culture, inviting people is foundational. When you invite people, you move away from “Do this because you have to” and move toward “I invite you to do this because we are here and this is where we are going and
... See moreSamantha Slade • Going Horizontal: Creating a Non-Hierarchical Organization, One Practice at a Time
invite everyone to close their eyes and take a moment to reflect on what they are leaving with from the meeting or day (don’t force anyone, though). Closed eyes help us be in silence. Surprisingly enough, people actually appreciate a moment of silence at work.
Samantha Slade • Going Horizontal: Creating a Non-Hierarchical Organization, One Practice at a Time
So how do we set agendas during a meeting? One way is what I call the “agile agenda approach”:
Samantha Slade • Going Horizontal: Creating a Non-Hierarchical Organization, One Practice at a Time
The practice of beginning a meeting with a moment to check in with each other can’t be emphasized enough.
Samantha Slade • Going Horizontal: Creating a Non-Hierarchical Organization, One Practice at a Time
The term think time was coined by researcher Robert J. Stahl, who documented the
Samantha Slade • Going Horizontal: Creating a Non-Hierarchical Organization, One Practice at a Time
Clarifying Purpose Together
Samantha Slade • Going Horizontal: Creating a Non-Hierarchical Organization, One Practice at a Time
Whenever I refer to the term practice, I am including these three components: (1) the actual doing, (2) some principles or processes that provide a minimal structure to hold the practice, and (3) self-reflection.