At Apple most people work in a matrix structure instead of a classic hierarchical one, so they may have more than one boss to answer to.When working at cross-functional stuff, you have to influence others in order to have anything done. Due to the matrix structure and the relatively flat organization, you cannot simply pull rank to demand anything; you actually have to win the other person to do what you need.&nbsp;This creates unique dynamics where everybody works on something because they agree it is for the best, and not because someone higher in the food chain says so.

Apple's Organizational Matrix Structure

<div> Working at Apple can be very disconcerting to some people. Company culture is not like what you find in most tech companies, with an unusually strong attachment to the company, its products, brand and leaders, which detractors always depict as a sort of cult, or 'drinking the Kool-aid'. At organizational level, most people work in a matrix structure instead of a classic hierarchical one, so you may have more than one boss to answer to. That's unusual for a lot of people. The most disconcerting thing for most is, when working at cross-functional stuff, having to influence others in order to have anything done. Due to the matrix structure and the relatively flat organization, you cannot simply pull rank to demand anything; you actually have to win the other person to do what you need. That takes longer than 'direct command', but creates unique dynamics where everybody works on something because they agree it is for the best, and not because someone higher in the food chain says so (most of the time at least). Apple also tends to reorganize internally every few years, changing whole organizations and leadership, changing your own role, title or area, and you better be flexible enough to, next day, be ready to work in a different way as if you had been doing it all your life. People in Sales have to face the fact that they have no product roadmap, have no idea which product will come next, which one will be eliminated or renovated, or which will have a price change, or when. That makes negotiating with resellers and distributors a difficult art. Let's not talk about dealing with Corporate Accounts or Public Administration, people who simply cannot believe you don't know what the product roadmap is, information which they deem critical for their planning. A hell of a lot of people at all levels feel awkward and confused by all this, and eventually move out as they prefer working at a company with a more classic command chain. I personally loved it... </div>

Nick Lekuona's answer: Working at Apple can be very disconcerting to some people. Company culture is not like what you find in most tech companies, with an unusually strong attachment to the company, its products, brand and leaders, which detractors always depict as a sort of cult, or "drinking t...

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Apple's Organizational Matrix Structure

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