Remember When Boss-Free Teams Were Rare? Not Anymore.
In 2016, we started criss‑crossing the globe in search of workplaces that run without traditional bosses. Back then, they felt like well‑kept secrets.
Tucked away in industrial parks and back streets, barely visible online and, surprisingly, mostly unaware of one another. Many thought they were alone.
Almost a decade later, the landscape has shifted.
There are more rebels on the map, more voices in the debate, and self‑management is no longer dismissed as a freaky sideshow (well, maybe only occasionally).
In other words: a movement is taking shape.
Seeding the next phase
Eighteen months ago we asked ourselves: What would it take to speed up that movement? How can we spread more human ways of working faster?
Our answer was Rebel Cells: peer‑to‑peer groups where pioneering organizations learn, share, and keep each other honest.
Within weeks, cells were forming on five continents.
Last month, we pressed pause and listened. Members and coordinators reflected on the first 18 months, and three themes emerged:
Critical mass counts. Cells really ignite once more than six organizations gather; at that point every challenge finds at least one “been‑there” voice.
Untapped global potential. Local cells create great value, yet matching similar organizations across the network could unlock a new level of learning.
The highlight of the year. Our two‑day summit in Seville’s historic bullring was the highlight mentioned in almost every feedback call.
Turning feedback into action
From that feedback we refined membership around four elements.
All member organizations get access to:
- Local Cell: Regular in‑person meetups with nearby pioneers to swap playbooks, troubleshoot challenges, and celebrate wins.
- Global peer groups: Curated online groups that pair you with organizations of similar industry, size, or self‑management maturity.
- Annual summit: Two immersive days for the whole network to gather. This year we’ll be in Barcelona, 21‑22 November.
- Resource hub: 100+ interviews, case studies, and plug‑and‑play courses for your workforce.
The new peer groups are already pulling in companies that previously sat on the fence. Especially those furthest along on the self‑management path who crave radical sparring partners.
Who’s inside?
Radically self‑managed companies like:
And a wave of large incumbents bent on reinvention:
During a recent German cell meet‑up at Bayer’s Leverkusen campus, the Bayer team shared progress on the boldest corporate reinvention of our time and invited peers to stress‑test their next steps.
“We saved two months of trial and error,” one Bayer rebel said afterwards.
Introducing: Global cells
Several of you wrote, "Love the idea, but there's no cell in my country."
Therefore, starting this quarter, we are launching Global Cells, virtual groups of 8‑15 pioneering organizations from regions without a local chapter.
Same network magic, just across time zones instead of across town.
The working title was orphan cells.
Probably a good call changing that to global cells ;)
What's next?
We aim to welcome 200 pioneers by 2026. Not for vanity metrics, but because every new voice multiplies the learning. Nearly 100 companies are already sharing practices, salary models, and “wish we’d known” moments.
Two new Global Cells are forming now, and most local cells still have open seats.
Curious whether there's a fit?
Let's talk. Apply here.
