# Anarchy in the C-Suite By:: [[Ross Jackson]] 2022-11-12 Hierarchy permeates organizations. At the upper echelon of organizational structures is the C-suite, which refers to organizations’ highest management positions. These “chief” positions are highly coveted. Among this stratum are the chief executive officer (CEO), chief operating officer (COO), chief financial officer (CFO), chief information officer (CIO), chief technology officer (CTO), and chief compliance officer (CCO), potentially among others. At the pinnacle of the upper echelon is the CEO. Often this level is augmented by those at the Senior Vice President (SVP) level. Increasingly, public evidence is calling into question the validity of the assumption that one obtains the CEO position based on intelligence. Consequently, the model of hierarchical subordination is suspect. Anarchy is a potential alternative. Current understandings of anarchy of those in the United States are unfortunately largely constrained to notions of the Sex Pistols and their song _Anarchy in the U.K._ Informed by this shallow understanding of the concept, anarchy is categorized as angry lawlessness. Whereas this view is understandable, it is largely inaccurate. At its core, anarchism is a political theory that asserts that government authority is unnecessary and that societies (and by extension organizations) based on free association without recourse to force or compulsion are juster.  Anarchy in the C-suite would likely look more like an academic department on a college campus than the current American industry. The “chair” (i.e., CEO) has symbolic and administrative leadership over the organization, but among deliberations, there is collegiality among peers. The current approach only enhances the most negative tendencies of ego, in which people become so self-certain of their brilliance that they lurch from one absurdity to another, and complete buffoons think they are natural and effective leaders. The myth of the billionaire genius is crumbling around us, along with its collateral damage. Anarchy in the C-suite would not produce lawlessness and inaction; it would facilitate collaboration and humility. American organizations would benefit from substantially less ego and more solidarity. #### Related Items [[Anarchy]] [[Business]] [[Management]] [[C-Suite]] [[American]]