Maverick!：The success story behind the world's most unusual workplace

Whatmakesforasuccessfulcompany?Inasometimesbreathless,oftenboyishmanner,Semler,acounselorofaBraziliancompany(Semco),relatesthetransformationofatraditionallystructuredbusinessintoonequiteliterallywithoutwallsandrules.Semlerdetailshisnot-so-easystepsinthemetamorphosis:abolishingdresscodesandregulations;decentralizingplants;gettingridofpaperworkandtitles(hence,hisappellationascounselor,notCEO);andcreatingaconsultativedemocracyinwhichemployeessettheirownsalariesandworkhoursandvoteonmanagerialcandidates,amongotherresponsibilities.Ifitsoundstoomuchlikeutopia,SemleradmitsthatBrazil'seconomicdownturnhasimpactedSemcoandthat,yes,beingbornwithasilverspooncertainlycolorshisvision.Nonetheless,hisisaphilosophythatmeritssomeseriousthoughtbymanagersandworkersalike.