The geometry of governance? Why shapes matter in culture

Encouraging lateral and downward engagement

Shapes matter when it comes to good corporate governance. Shapes impact the linear and non-linear pathways of decision-making.

For example, in autocracy the shape is a simple single line between boss and worker and it flows just one way. This is fine as long as everyone agrees with the boss. At the other end of the spectrum, the decision-making structure may be so democratic and complex it gives rise to inertia, discord, even chaos.  Shapes can therefore give rise to both inefficiency as much as conflicts of interest. The Financial Conduct Authority's Marc Teasdale recently noted at the Investment Association's Culture in Investment Management forum: "We often see insufficient consideration being given to the...