In geekwork, the traditional knowledge distribution assumed in the guild System is completely turned on its head. Managers rarely know all the details about the work of their subordinates.

The inversion of this unspoken assumption, commonly held by both geeks and tnanagers, leads both to discomfort. Managers feel compelled to try to make technical decisions about issues that they are not equipped to handle. Technicians refuse to acknowlprlae nr respect the expertise that managers bring to the organization, since it is different from their own. Ultimately, both managers and geeks strain against this outmoded idea.