How Many Organizational Psychologists Does it Take to Change a Hierarchy? Many of us have direct, first-hand knowledge of the ‘dark side” of hierarchical organizations – they tend to be rigid, controlling, and inflexible. Yet, a full understanding requires us to acknowledge that there are some things they do well. Indeed, some ask whether they should be changed at all. There are inevitable trade-offs faced by leaders when they strive to balance what are, in many ways, antithetical approaches for structuring their organizations. This presentation will discuss these trade-offs, along with how the organization’s culture and environmental context affect the possibilities for change in any hierarchical structure.

Michael J. Stevens, Jeff Christensen