Big companies and small ones have different leadership dynamics. Dear Bob …I liked this week’s Keep the Joint Running (“A Labor Day dichotomy,” 9/1/2008). It triggered a thought:Are the decision making and knowledge level of the lower employee any different then the level of decision making and knowledge level of those of the top executives? I’m sure if we put some top execs in the lower rungs they’d be all thumbs and find out there is a lot that they have no knowledge about.Do you think?– I do real work Dear IDRW …The answer to your question depends on the size of the organization.In small companies, generalists dominate, everyone has to wear a lot of hats, and managers often have to roll up their sleeves and do real work. The good news is that the sense of connection is high and there’s a strong sense of everyone being in it together. The bad news is that this situation doesn’t scale up very well. In larger companies, leaders lead (or should). Leadership and management are recognized as skills distinct from performing the actual work. The sense of connection is reduced, and those in management roles shouldn’t roll up their sleeves and pitch in because they should be worse at the work than everyone working for them.In well-led large companies, everyone understands that this is as it should be.– Bob Technology Industry