LEADING IN TODAY’S DYNAMIC CONTEXTS
Unit #8 Introduction
We will look at some of the trends in Leadership that are beginning to change the landscape of what it means to lead. In all of the leadership theories we have studied, there has been a decided focus on the leader him/herself. What is emerging now is leadership methodology that looks more at ‘collective leadership’ — the idea that leadership comes from teams, group and networks. These theories look at a distributed method of problem-solving, decision-making, motivating and innovating. There is a movement to reconsider the leader as ‘hero’ and instead look to the power of shared leadership. It is compelling, particularly because innovation rarely comes from the genius of one person alone instead, we know that real innovation requires diverse competencies coming together to cooperatively create. In that way, collective leadership almost seems like the obvious next step in leadership.
Our readings focus on future trends, collective leadership, and innovation in leadership. As you read, consider the industry in which you work (or wish to work) and where those industries are headed given the ever-changing advances. Consider the leader you are and want to be. Allow yourself to consider how your workplace might be improved if leadership became less about a handful of people and included a much broader group.
Reading Assignment
Cullen, K., Wilburn, P., Chrobot-Mason, D., & Palus, C. (2016). Networks: How Collective Leadership Really Works. Center for Creative Leadership. Retrieved from: http://www.ccl.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/networksHowCollective.pdf
De Coutere, B. & Horth, D. M. (2016). Innovation Leadership. Center for Creative Leadership Training Journal. Retrieved from: https://www.ccl.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/center-for-creative-leadership-training-journal-innovation-leadership-article.pdf
Institute of Leadership and Management (2014). 2020 Vision: Future trends in leadership and management. Download the pdf.
Petrie, N. (2015, Apr 14). Future Trends in Leadership Development. Center for Creative Leadership. Retrieved from: http://leanconstruction.org/media/learning_laboratory/Leadership/Future_Trends_in_Leadership_Development.pdf
Ziskin, I. (2016, Sept 1). Developing the Next Generation of Leaders: Trends and Truths About the Future of Leadership Development. Society for Human Resource Management. Retrieved from: https://www.shrm.org/hr-today/trends-and-forecasting/special-reports-and-expert-views/pages/ian-ziskin.aspx
Portfolio Activity
Collective (or distributed) Leadership is not a brand-new idea, but it is a methodology that is gaining more traction, toppling the more traditional version of leadership that has been the status quo.
Using our readings and/or other research, consider collective leadership — its advantages, its disadvantages and the degree to which you feel it is a realistic leadership methodology. Consider how business is done in your own industry (Detroit Board of Ed) and try to apply a collective leadership model to what you do. (College Transition Advising) How does it look?
