could columbus have been wrong?

maybe i'm a radical egalitarian - or maybe i just believe that hierarchical human structures can do as much damage as good. and that they don't necessarily have to be in place in order for an organization to 'succeed' or reach its goals. my a-type friends surely think that i reek of inefficiency and romanticism ... but i am still encouraged by stories like this one: https://www.openforum.com/idea-hub/topics/the-world/article/how-to-design-a-flat-organization-matthew-e-may

could columbus have been wrong?