Lhorizontale

Lhorizontale is a term used in French and English-language discourse to refer to a way of organizing people and activities around horizontal relations rather than vertical hierarchy. The word comes from the French l'horizontale, meaning "the horizontal." In organizational theory, lhorizontale describes approaches that emphasize shared decision-making, cross-functional collaboration, and self-management. Structures labeled as lhorizontale aim to distribute authority more evenly, promote open communication, and rely on project-based work and peer accountability rather than top-down commands. Variants appear in management philosophies such as horizontal governance or networked organizations, and in methodologies that favor cross-team coordination and flattened organizational charts.

Outside workplaces, the concept also appears in political and community contexts, where lhorizontale denotes decentralized, participatory networks that organize without centralized leadership—such as citizen assemblies, coalitions, or online communities that rely on peer-to-peer collaboration.

Critics point to potential downsides: increased coordination costs, ambiguous accountability, and challenges in scaling. Proponents argue gains in adaptability and innovation, particularly in fast-changing environments.

Because the term is used in multiple domains, its exact meaning depends on context. Related ideas include horizontal coordination, holacracy, and network governance.