Functional separation is closely related to a Hierarchical reporting structure. Knowing where there's inertia and the assumptions that lead to it is a good starting point for change.
The interesting thing is that if I look at your LinkedIn profile it states your history in terms of functional roles CTO, CIO, CPTO … I’m sure you are justifiably proud of these roles. But they are effectively heads of functional groupings. By suggesting cross functional teams you are trying to destroy the decades old hegemony of a career progress to C-level, through a traditional hierarchy.
Think back to the beginning of your career. Would you have preferred a cross-functional structure that has no clear career progression or a functional structure that states the career progression clearly?
I posit that the examples of flat organisations, like Buurtzog, Semco, even Haier, exist in a bubble. There is so much traditional journalism (books, articles, blogs) the reinforces the traditional view (99% of everything written out there) that the stories of Haier and Buurtzog float through as unique and individual aspirations. Almost impossible for us to comprehend, yet alone achieve.
Adding a cross functional team is lipstick on the pig when my career progression directs me onwards and upwards to the CTO and CEO role.
Good article. I agree with most of it.
The interesting thing is that if I look at your LinkedIn profile it states your history in terms of functional roles CTO, CIO, CPTO … I’m sure you are justifiably proud of these roles. But they are effectively heads of functional groupings. By suggesting cross functional teams you are trying to destroy the decades old hegemony of a career progress to C-level, through a traditional hierarchy.
Think back to the beginning of your career. Would you have preferred a cross-functional structure that has no clear career progression or a functional structure that states the career progression clearly?
I posit that the examples of flat organisations, like Buurtzog, Semco, even Haier, exist in a bubble. There is so much traditional journalism (books, articles, blogs) the reinforces the traditional view (99% of everything written out there) that the stories of Haier and Buurtzog float through as unique and individual aspirations. Almost impossible for us to comprehend, yet alone achieve.
Adding a cross functional team is lipstick on the pig when my career progression directs me onwards and upwards to the CTO and CEO role.