Experts Cannot Manage
In traditional organizations, supervisors were expected to have knowledge of the tasks performed by their subordinates. In fact, supervisors themselves had previously worked in the same positions as their subordinates. However, in a Knowledge Organization, supervisors are expected to assume that they do not have knowledge of their subordinates' work. Typically, supervisors do not have firsthand experience in the same tasks as their subordinates.
This means that supervisors cannot delve into the detailed execution of the work itself. Instead, they operate at a higher level of abstraction, focusing on understanding the contributions required by the work. This concept is known as Management Buyout or Management By Objective, which later leads to the implementation of OKR (Objective and Key Result).
Within an organization, individuals have the responsibility to communicate their own goals, priorities, and intended contributions to their superiors, subordinates, and colleagues. They also have the responsibility to align their personal goals with the overall goals of the organization. This aligns well with the principles of OKR.
In a post-capitalist society, it is recognized that Knowledge Workers Cannot Be Supervised. Instead, these workers possess knowledge and are responsible for their own means of production. This shift in perspective also leads to the elimination of middle management roles.
When reading these notes by nishoi, it feels like they are closely related to the concept of What is a Professional?. It emphasizes the idea of entrusting professionals with decision-making authority.