Working in a company with no managers

There are many ways in how companies with a flat hierarchy work. We consider ourselves as different, not crazy. Find out what distinguishes us and what it is like to work in a company with no managers.

Flat organizational structures are not based on a one-size-fits-all type of solution. Every company is different. For us, how we implemented our flat hierarchy is strictly attached to our values and company culture.

There is a lot of thought and processes behind our structure to make sure it works. If people are able to finish their degrees, buy a house and raise kids, we surely believe they are capable of doing their work without others telling them what to do or where to go! We trust our colleagues to do the right thing.

Nonetheless, even though we are a company with no managers, we do have a management team. This is composed of five people:

Michiel - our ever-energetic CEO, Luis -our very smart and sweet CTO, Leon - our efficient COO, Joep - our CFO and the kindest man on earth, Mariel - our caring CPO. Together, they are responsible for creating the company strategy and vision.

But what does it mean to work with no managers?

Who gives feedback?

Who makes the decisions around here?

What is it really like working in such a company?

If these are some of the things you’re curious about, you came to the right place!

Nmbrs company with no managers - The picture is an illustration of one man and one women running as a team

Nmbrs company with no managers - What does it mean to work with no managers

When people hear about a company with no managers, they usually have two reactions:

👎 Flat hierarchy doesn’t work.

👍 That sounds amazing!

Working in a flat organizational structure comes with a lot of benefits but also many responsibilities. Every obligation that would normally fall on a manager, falls on every single employee. This includes:

- Feedback and recognition;
- Performance reviews;
- Decision-making;
- Recruitment (yes, even this);
- Amongst many other responsibilities.

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Nmbrs company with no managers - Without managers how do you maintain a culture feedback

Considering the fact that we are a company with no managers, it’s even more important to develop an open feedback culture.

The importance of feedback lies not only on how it helps us to grow but also on how, if we do it correctly, we can help others develop themselves as well. In a flat hierarchy, everyone is responsible for giving feedback, receiving it and, ultimately, acting on it.

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Nmbrs company with no managers - How is the decision-making at Nmbrs?

Decisions, decisions, decisions. We all have to make them every single day. We can ask for help but, at the end of the day, we are the ones who need to execute them.

At Nmbrs, collaboration and teamwork are the drivers behind any decision. Managers are definitely not one of them.

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Nmbrs company with no managers - How do you balance work and fun in your company culture?

As Dolly Parton once said, “Don’t get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life”.

Like any other company, also in a company with no managers, we want to grow but that shouldn’t come at the expense of our colleagues. Work is important and we take it seriously while also enjoying it. We work together and we have fun together.

Work-life balance is very important and one of the things we advocate for at Nmbrs. For that, we keep on developing company culture initiatives to make sure everyone’s personal time is respected.

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