Command Alkon’s Elevate 2018: Breakout #1 Seth Mattison of Luminate Labs

Command Alkon’s Elevate 2018: Breakout #1 Seth Mattison of Luminate Labs

It was an insightful first day at Command Alkon’s Elevate 2018 conference. During the Opening Keynote session, Seth Mattison presented unique perspective about the rising battle between hierarchies and networks that dominate society. Seth Mattison is the Co-Founder and Chief Movement Officer of Luminate Labs, a digital media platform and global community of leaders and influencers. Here are some of the most important, key insights from the session:

The audience was challenged to consider the battle between hierarchies and networks in society. Mattison described that throughout history, a hierarchal structure has created feelings of safety, security, and stability by limiting flexibility, defining roles and creating predictability. According to Mattison, hierarchy has been a reality and, by coming of age under such a rigid structure created to support the Industrial Revolution, the resultant corporate, education, government and religious institutions have shaped the way brains function and route the way synapses fire.

In and of itself, hierarchy is not bad, dead, or outdated; rather, hierarchy should be studied to understand the impact on the collective decision-making process. On the other extreme, Mattison suggested a shift in leadership paradigms to prepare for the future. Because of the Internet, an unprecedented ability to network has created feelings of ambiguity and uncertainty with unlimited flexibility, undefined roles and unpredictable outcomes.

As a result, Mattison advocated that today’s reality is a half-changed world influenced by a long list of “unwritten rules” established by the structure that preceded the Network: The Hierarchy.


Mary Francis Roebuck

Mary Francis Roebuck

Mary Francis is Vice President of Marketing at Roebuck Technologies where she leads all efforts in branding, communications, social presences and advertising. She possesses expertise in business analysis for mergers and acquisitions, valuations, market and feasibility studies, and the development of continuing education programs in both a live and e-Learning format. Mary Francis earned a BA in Economics from the University of Virginia.