What the Tech Bros Get Wrong About Flat Structures

Big Tech keeps talking about “flat structures” — but most of them are getting it completely wrong.

From Google to Meta, flattening has become a buzzword tied to layoffs, cost-cutting, and removing middle management. But real self-management was never about cutting people to increase efficiency.

In this video, I break down:

Why Meta’s “Great Flattening” missed the point

What Google’s manager-less experiments reveal

Why removing managers without replacing support systems creates chaos

The biggest misconception tech companies have about self-management

What genuinely progressive organisations do differently

As someone who specialises in self-managing organisations and progressive workplace cultures, I’m increasingly frustrated seeing these approaches used to justify unethical workplace practices — when the reality is far more nuanced.

True self-management isn’t about eliminating people.

It’s about creating adaptive, purpose-driven organisations where power, responsibility, and decision-making are distributed effectively.

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https://youtu.be/3xsnyzewv9Q?si=d_r1v_CF1DviUgzX

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WHO AM I? 🤓

Hi, I'm Lizzie 😃 - The nerd you need, when it comes to thinking differently about work.

I help founders and their teams build revolutionary new ways of working that liberates everyone to create the greatest impact.