Totally agree that hierarchy kills creativity unless you're lucky enough to have one of those rare managers that can let their staff spread their creative wings. The more hiearchical a system, the more the thinking and action seems to be dictated by the prevailing 'inside-the-box' thinking and its very difficult to get much airplay unless or until you behave as in line with that thinking. Its a bit of a career killer to Suggest something different or point out how things could be done better.