PART TWO ~ Practical Guide to Leading Beyond Hierarchy

From Role Mapping to Meetings:

Practical Tools for Leading Beyond Hierarchy

In Part 1 of this series, I explored why Leading Beyond Hierarchy matters and how shifting from linear org maps to dynamic, purpose-driven structures can unlock creativity and resilience.

In this second part, I want to share some of the practical tools and approaches that help organisations put these principles into practice: role mapping, reimagining meetings, and evolving ways of working. These are not abstract concepts — they are tangible, people-focused practices that I use every day with organisations I support.

Role Mapping: Aligning Work With Purpose

Traditional hierarchies assume that people fit neatly into job descriptions. In reality, work rarely flows in straight lines. This mismatch can create silos, inefficiencies, and frustrations. Role mapping offers a different approach.

Instead of starting with individuals, we begin by identifying the tasks and responsibilities required to fulfil the organisation’s purpose. Only then do we assign roles — and often people hold multiple roles across different areas.

When I partnered with FACT Liverpool, role mapping helped them move beyond titles and reporting lines to see their organisation as an interconnected system. It clarified accountability, reduced duplication, and created flexibility as roles could evolve over time.

As Nicola Triscott, CEO of FACT, reflected: “The arts sector thrives on creativity and collaboration. So why do we organise ourselves like 1950s corporations?” Her words capture why role mapping is such a powerful practice: it allows organisations to design for the future, not the past.

Meetings as a Force for Autonomy and Inspiration

Few things frustrate people more than ineffective meetings. Yet meetings are where strategy, collaboration, and decision-making come to life. To lead beyond hierarchy, we need to transform how we gather.

Research published in MIT Sloan Management Review found that 71% of managers viewed meetings as unproductive and inefficient. But meetings can become a cornerstone of autonomy if we change the focus from titles to purpose.

In the work I do with teams, I encourage them to design meetings around the question: What do you need to fulfil the purpose of your role? This creates clarity, reduces unnecessary discussion, and makes meetings a place where people get the resources and alignment they need to succeed.

At FACT, for example, “management meetings” were replaced by a Planning & Development Circle. This wasn’t just a new name — it was a shift in mindset. People gathered because of their roles and responsibilities, not their job titles. The result was sharper focus and more meaningful collaboration.

FACT Liverpool Planning & Development Circle Overview

New Ways of Working: Transparency and Flexibility

Leading Beyond Hierarchy also means rethinking the everyday “rules” of work. Too often, policies and processes are designed in a top-down way, leaving people disengaged.

Instead, I help organisations co-create their ways of working. Transparency, honesty, and flexibility are key. When people are involved in shaping the boundaries that guide their work, they feel trusted and engaged.

This aligns with research by Deloitte, which found that organisations with a strong sense of shared values and transparent decision-making are more adaptable and innovative. By treating governance as a living system rather than a fixed set of policies, organisations can continuously adapt to shifting contexts.

The Bigger Picture: Regenerative Business

All of these practices — role mapping, reimagining meetings, and evolving ways of working — serve a bigger purpose. They help organisations move towards becoming regenerative businesses: workplaces that don’t just sustain but actively contribute to the wellbeing of people, communities, and the environment.

Leading Beyond Hierarchy isn’t about removing leadership — it’s about redistributing it in a way that unlocks collective intelligence. This is how we design organisations capable of thriving in an increasingly complex and uncertain world.

Taking the First Step

If your organisation is using rigid hierarchies or linear ways of working, now is the time to explore change.

Start by asking simple questions:

• Are our roles aligned with our purpose?

• Do our meetings empower or drain us?

• How can we involve our people in shaping how we work?

Leading Beyond Hierarchy is a journey, and every organisation will take its own path. But with the right tools and a clear sense of purpose, it’s a journey that can transform how you work and what you achieve.

If you’d like to explore how these principles could support your organisation, I’d be delighted to start a conversation with you.