Which Way Is Up?

Dianne Chong, PhD, FSME, FASM, NAE was vice president for the Boeing Research and Technology organization in the Boeing Engineering, Operations & Technology organization. She is also one of the leaders we interviewed for our book.

Chong described using an inverted pyramid structure in engagement teams: “Instead of having an organization chart that is the standard pyramid where the leader is at the top and all the people are at the bottom, you turn it upside down and the people are all at the top and the leader (myself) is at the bottom. When you have that kind of perspective on the organization, it can help a leader understand the people’s needs.”

Chong is not alone in seeing the value of turning communications upside down. Mike Hutchins of Act Leadership recently published a blog post on the subject.

The inverted pyramid encourages employees to be more innovative, Chong says. “People have approached me with great suggestions about innovation relative to technology, organizational structure, employee health, safety, and emotional resilience.”