Thursday, May 23, 2013

Distributed Leadership




Which is better model of leadership, one powerful leader sitting at the top and controlling an organization through a rigid chain of commands or a set of empowered individuals taking various leadership roles with ownership for the organizations success?

A single, all powerful leader running a small company successfully cannot be expected to deliver the same performance when the company grows bigger.  He or his decisions could be delayed and may go wrong because of remoteness from ground reality.
       
The organization may lose the opportunities to make the best knowledge based decisions if competent leaders in touch with ground realities are not given leadership responsibilities.

The new work force do not mind exercising their options for a better working environment in contrast to old work force who opted for job security due to lack of alternatives.

Top leadership generally is not willing to allow dilution of their hard earned power and position.

Transition to distributed leadership model will require organizations to revisit their values and reward system.   
They should start valuing the unique combination of many rather than a few key leaders.

This will make all feel that they have a voice.  Senior leadership must empower others and facilitate capable leaders to emerge.

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