All Things Leadership
August 31, 2012
Labor Day is upon us and with it comes the unofficial end of summer. This is a natural time to shift our focus back to getting things done in our life’s work, while kids head back to school and the long, hot summer makes way for the fall. This shift, then, is a perfect time to remind ourselves that leadership isn’t about being a lone ranger, but rather about gathering a group of gifted and like-minded people around us so that we can pursue our organizational mission as a unified team. Collaborative leadership is the manner in which we can do this. Yes, there is a designated leader who has the final decision-making authority, but in this structure, the members of the team are assured that their voice will be heard and views considered.
One of the authors from whom I’ve really learned a lot is Margaret J. Wheatley. In her 1999 book, Leadership and the New Science, she states, “The new science keeps reminding us that in this participative universe, nothing living lives alone. Everything comes into form because of relationship.” This is so important for us to remember when leading in today’s organizations. Gone are the days that the leader made all the decisions independently of the team. Collaboration is a vital tool for the success and effectiveness of for-profit, and especially not-for-profit, organizations. The collective talents of the team members are what not only propel the group forward, but also increase their commitment and loyalty and enrich the experience of all when they come to work.
Margaret J. Wheatley goes on to state, “If we discover an issue whose significance we share with others, those others are transformed into colleagues. If we recognize a shared sense of injustice or a common dream, magical things happen to people. Past hurts and negative histories get left behind. People step forward to work together. We don’t hang back, we don’t withdraw, we don’t wait to be enticed. We seek each other out, eager to discover who else might help. The call of the problem sounds louder than past grievances or our fears of failure. We have found something important to work on, and, because we want to make a difference, we figure out how to do the work, together.”
Doing the work together is the key. Let’s all strive to be collaborative leaders.
Lead well.