Zero Bosses: Distributed Leadership at Scale

Description

What is this course about?

At W.L. Gore & Associates, 12,000 employees have thrived under a boss-free system for 67 years. In this course, CEO Bret Snyder shares insights on a distributed leadership model that challenges traditional organizational views. Gore’s approach involves transparency by making all project data accessible, allowing teams to kill underperforming projects. They enforce a "no jerks" rule, ensuring leadership is guided by influence and positivity. Snyder advises evaluating employees based on their holistic contribution to the company's success, reinforcing an ownership mindset by calling them associates. The "waterline principle" encourages experimentation and leads to peer consultation instead of manager approval. To foster leadership, Snyder advocates: leading with humility, respecting everyone, and knowing what success looks like.

This course was created by MIT Sloan Management Review. We are pleased to host this training in our library.

Objectives

What will I be able to do by the end of this course?

• Drive consistent performance and innovation with transparency and peer accountability.
• Encourage experimentation on teams by applying the "waterline principle."
• Lead with humility and create an influential, positive work culture.
• Evaluate employees based on holistic contributions to reinforce ownership.
• Leverage principles for maintaining organizational agility and accountability at scale.

Audience

Who is this course for?

• Executives
• CxOs
• Senior leaders

Prerequisites

What do I need to know before taking this course?

• Experience in leadership or management roles
• Familiarity with organizational structures and business strategy
• Interest in innovative leadership and management practices