Jack Dorsey, the Chief Executive Officer of Block, has detailed an ambitious overhaul of the company’s structure. His vision centers on radically flattening the organization, using advanced artificial intelligence (AI) to minimize management oversight and bring all employees closer to his direct reporting line.
The Goal: A Near-Direct Reporting Line
Dorsey stated that in the most perfect scenario, every person at Block would report directly to him. He specified that this ideal situation involves managing all 6,000 employees within the organization.
Currently, he noted that the maximum number of management levels existing between himself and any individual employee was five layers deep. However, Dorsey is setting a clear objective: within the span of one year, he plans to narrow this distance down substantially, aiming instead for just “two to three” reporting layers.
Leveraging AI for Structural Change
This massive structural shift is intended to be facilitated by large language models and advanced artificial intelligence. Dorsey believes that integrating this new layer of technological “intelligence” will make the process of flattening the company structure significantly more manageable than previous efforts.
He emphasized that his desire for a flat hierarchy, while sounding extreme in theory, is necessary when considering how much work will pass through this integrated intelligence layer. Dorsey stated that the scale of his ambition—personally overseeing 6,000 staff members—is what constitutes his “ideal case.”
Shifting Focus to Judgment
Dorsey’s strategic move reflects a broader effort within Block following substantial workforce reductions. He pointed out that the company had cut over 4,000 staff members, representing approximately 40% of its original personnel. Despite these cuts, managers remain in the mix.
Because of this profound transformation toward an “intelligence” model for Block, Dorsey believes that a single skill will become paramount: judgment. He asserted that he would function as an additional checkpoint, ensuring that decisions are aligned with the world they intend to build.
A Trend Toward Flatness
The pursuit of a less layered corporate structure is not unique. Dorsey’s vision for Block mirrors similar ambitions seen in other technology leaders, including his friend Elon Musk, who also favors highly decentralized and flat organizational models.
