Communication Quote by Ed Catmull
““Communication would no longer have to go through hierarchical channels. The exchange of information was key to our business, of course, but I believed that it could—and frequently should—happen out of order, without people getting bent out of shape. People talking directly to one another, then letting the manager find out later, was more efficient than trying to make sure that everything happened in the “right” order and through the “proper” channels.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview at Pixar, 2012
Effective communication bypasses rigid hierarchies, allowing direct interaction and faster problem solving.
In simple terms: Talk directly, avoid bottlenecks.
Key Takeaway
Encourage open, informal dialogue.
Themes
communication
efficiency
leadership
innovation
Mood
collaborative
pragmatic
Type
leadership
organizational.
When to use this quote
- project teams
- remote work
- cross‑functional meetings
- crisis response
Key Concepts
organizational design
information flow
flat structures
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance direct communication with responsibility?
- When is a formal channel still needed?
A Different Perspective
May cause confusion if not paired with clear accountability.
