Once we give up our egotistical attachment to rank-based concepts of managing, we can no longer justify our traditional leadership and supervisory positions and professions . This does not mean the important tasks of supervision are ignored or neglected ”rather, they are redistributed throughout the peer-based organization to the crossfunctional, and now rankless, councils and task forces. Key leadership functions will be exercised as well in peer-based organizations; however, they will be distributed through the peer council system as opposed to being identified with a hierarchical position in a rank-based organization. This leads to the following characteristics of a peer-based organization:
Proactive mentality ” employees feel they can make a difference
Expectations not of entitlement, but of contribution
Vision ”everyone shares in strategic thinking
Healthy balance between innovation and tradition
Fewer crises and better work/life balance
Everyone thinking and acting like an owner
High levels of trust ”because there are no secrets
Willingness to admit "I don't know" ”because there are no privileged elites
Consistent, open , honest communication
No communication barriers ”everyone talks to everyone else as needed
In business organizations, these characteristics produce greater productivity and lower costs, which generate higher profitability.