Many companies say they want innovation, but their structure says otherwise. If decisions only flow from the top down, the best ideas never make it to the surface. As Steve Jobs put it:
“You have to be run by ideas, not hierarchy. The best ideas have to win.”
Watch this clip where Steve Jobs explains why great companies prioritize ideas over authority.
Why Hierarchy Kills Innovation
Hierarchy rewards status, not ideas. In traditional corporate structures, decisions are made by the most senior person in the room, not necessarily the most qualified one. The longer you’ve been there, the more weight your opinion carries. But good ideas don’t care about job titles or tenure, they stand on their own.
The best employees won’t stick around. Talented people don’t want to be stuck in a system where their ideas are ignored just because they don’t have the right title. When businesses or teams prioritise hierarchy over innovation, they lose the very people who could push them forward.
The real world rewards results, not rank. In a 100m race, everyone has the same goal: to win. But success doesn’t come from who had the most authority. It comes from who had the best preparation, the best strategy, and the best execution. The same applies to business: the best companies let great ideas win, no matter where they come from.
How to Build an Idea-Driven Culture
Encourage open challenges – The best teams invite debate, testing ideas based on merit, not hierarchy.
Create space for ideas – Google’s “20% time” led to Gmail and Google Maps. Companies that give people room to innovate see real results.
Break down silos – The best ideas often come from unexpected places. Encourage cross-team collaboration.
Hierarchy Still Exists – But It Shouldn’t Be a Barrier
Hierarchy has its place. It provides structure and accountability. But in truly innovative companies, hierarchy is a tool, not a roadblock. Leaders don’t just make decisions, they facilitate the best ideas getting through.
If your company isn’t letting ideas rise to the top, don’t be surprised when your best people walk out the door.
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