Too few chiefs

Flocking birds are quite unaware of how much they outperform people. And this is not just in terms of soaring freely through the air. A V-formation is governed by other laws than those of packs of wolves or homo sapiens: it knows no hierarchy and is not directed by alpha birds. It is led by everyone to a certain extent, each taking the lead when such a need arises. Self-organisation is the key to its success. It works a little bit like road traffic in the most overpopulated Asian cities. Provided they are familiar with local laws and customs (and deviations from them), the motorists cope just as well with traffic lights as without them. Even at incredibly busy junctions. This approach towards management, completely free of despotic and egoistic thinking, has been trying to find its way into business for some time now, with better or worse results. However, the world of the corporate ladder has somehow still not been shaken to its foundations. Perhaps