Flipping the Pyramid : A Lean approach to heirachy

In the world of Lean management, the inverted pyramid stands as a testament to the importance of employees in any organisation. This concept, popularised by Toyota, flips the traditional hierarchical structure, placing employees at the top and managers at the bottom.

The inverted pyramid has been shown to lead to higher productivity and happier employees, but what exactly is the inverted pyramid model? Are you ready to implement it, and how do we implement it in our organisations?

Understanding the Inverted Pyramid

The Hierarchy of Ego

Traditionally, companies are organised hierarchically with three levels;

• CEO at the top
• Executive team
• Employees

Those at the top of the pyramid usually have the most context, and the will of those up at the top flow downwards. 

Even companies that claim to have a 'flat' structure actually behave as this traditional model when the day-to-day behaviours are observed.

This structure serves well for command and control and reporting purposes. However, from a Lean perspective, this is far from the most efficient way of structuring an organisation. 

The Inverted Pyramid

Toyota rearranged this sequence, creating what is known as the inverted pyramid.

In the inverted pyramid,

• employees are at the top,
• followed by the executive team
• and then the CEO

This structure is not merely symbolic, nor just a 'nice thing to say' on an 'about us' section of a webpage, but a reflection of the actual operational dynamics within the organisation.

The employees, who directly interact with the product or service, are the face of the company to its customers and are considered the most important workers. Therefore, they are placed at the top of the pyramid.

Above the company, we have customers since they should always be the focus.

The Role of Supervisors and Managers

In the context of the inverted pyramid, the roles of supervisors and managers are redefined. They are seen as supporters of the employees' work. They are responsible for providing the employees with the necessary tools, information, and supplies to perform their work to their best ability.

This approach fosters a collaborative relationship between employees and their supervisors or managers.

When employees encounter a problem or identify a need, they 'raise the alarm' without fear of retribution. The supervisor's job is to mobilise the company's resources to address the issue and support the employee.

This differs from the command and control dynamics of the traditional hierarchy, where employees typically do the job requested of them and report to their supervisors. 

What About Accountability?

On the face of it, there may appear to be less accountability for employees and managers.

However, the reverse is true. In the inverted pyramid, employees are accountable for their work and raising alarms when problems occur. 

Managers are also more accountable; if an employee is not performing, there is a greater expectation that they should provide the employee with all necessary resources and support to help ensure the job can be done efficiently. 

The Benefits of the Inverted Pyramid

The inverted pyramid approach offers several advantages:

1. Employee Empowerment: Employees feel empowered as they are responsible for not just doing the work but also improving it. This enhances their sense of dignity and value but also means higher productivity. 

2. Issues surfaced: In the inverted pyramid model, problems are always highlighted instead of brushed under the carpet or ignored. This means that problems can be identified and then resolved.

3. Quality Assurance: Supervisors can better ensure the production of quality products or services. When employees identify problems, they are quickly reported and resolved, providing a higher-quality output.

4. Customer Satisfaction: The company benefits by ensuring customer satisfaction by delivering higher-quality products and services.

The inverted pyramid approach is not just a different way of organising a company; it's a superior way that ensures sustainable solutions and provides focus to the customers.

But the question remains: Are you ready to flip the pyramid in your organisation? Are you prepared to empower your employees, foster a culture of continuous improvement, and put customer satisfaction at the forefront of your business strategy?

The journey to Lean management may be challenging, but the rewards are worth it. But you can start by asking yourself, "How can I serve my employees better?" Your answer could be the start of a transformative journey for your organisation.