BROADER SPECTRUMS OF HIERARCHY: NEW ANIMATED ORGANIZATION CHARTS

Abstract

AbstractThis article looks beyond categories to full‐spectrum thinking, the ability to seek patterns and clarity across gradients of possibility—outside, across, beyond, or maybe even without any boxes or categories—while resisting false certainty. In particular, it examines the animated organization charts of the future. The Army is prototyping a future where hierarchies are no longer static; they will be animated. Command‐and‐control only works in predictable slow‐moving environments, and there aren't very many of those any more. The Army now practices what they call “commander's intent,” “mission command,” or “flexive command.” At Electronic Arts, one of the world's most successful video game publishing companies, their commander's intent is “we exist to inspire the world to play.” Distributed‐authority networks will mean fluid hierarchies that require constant reassessment of who is in the best position to make which decision at what time. Individuals will need to learn how to lead when they cannot control. Organizations will need to learn how to flex rapidly while retaining clarity of direction. Societies will need to create commons that benefit everyone, shared assets, and a decision‐making process that helps people decide what they choose to do together.