[ajross]

That's not really responsive to the point of the article though. The goal isn't actually to "arrive at a decision". Any manager can do that. A military-style chain of command with autocratic power exerted feudally at each level is like the simplest possible form of organization.

The point is to avoid getting to a situation where a manager needs to step in and make that call in the first place, because despite its simplicity autocratic control (especially in creative fields!) is a pretty craptastic way to run a company.

Your point that "feelings are saved because roles are clearly defined" just doesn't work in practice. And anyone who's ever been overruled by a boss can tell you that.

[jlukic]

I still think when handled correctly seniority is the best incentive to reward correct decision making. The problem arises in the (quite frequent) circumstance where people who get to positions of power aren’t there because they have the best guidance / deepest expertise. This is an issue with implementation, not a fault of heirarchy.

I think I’m the domain of the article, design, the guy who is creative director / dept head generally is a good candidate for arbitrating a design or product dispute in companies that promote leaders effectively.