This is an interesting post, because I have worked for corporations big and small, from hundreds of employees to tens of thousands. Oddly enough it was the massive global example where the hierarchies were less overtly directive in their behavior, compared to the smaller (which was a start-up, and one that broke several of these rules). Now, I work for a very small company of less than 50 people, and there is a hierarchy, but it's largely organic and fluid, and I'm not monitored on a daily basis. I know what needs to be done, and I handle it, and my colleagues are in the same position.

If I did have one concern over this style though, it's that everyone is a sort of master of their own domain, which we're changing, but up until very recently has been the norm, which presents both challenges and opportunities when it comes to streamlining processes, tracking effort, etc.