Leadership and leaders have many ways to play their role: it could either be leaders from behind and leadership as collective genius as the article discussed it with Linda Hill. This is global and diverse discussion as change is rapid in every organization that which organizations’ decision-making were distributed between and among team leaders of sections or department while collaboration with the outside forces that could also affect the transactions and operations of the business.
Leadership takes an extra effort about making connections to motivate and inspire his team for an effective and efficient result of every endeavour they take through teamwork. There is even an African adage Ubuntu which means I am because we are which only mean to say that teamwork is an important factor that a leader should also consider. Our leaders were traditionally identified through his position of authority or influence and neglecting those invisible possible leaders. These invisible leaders potential were not recognized because they were not considered to take the lead or be part of the crucial decision and situations of the company.
Today’s trend should consider leadership from behind and collective genius as these two were inclusive, collaborative and used team approach on solving problems. Leading from behind will involve team members on articulating roles they want to portray, developing their talents, setting boundaries on their scope and limitations and managing tensions when needed. Leadership behind only shows up to guide his team to redirect or refocus them on achieving their goals. On the other hand, leadership as collective genius gives an equal opportunity on each team member to step forward on to suggest the what, how and when of the goals that team’s want to achieve. They use their own judgment and take risk for them to develop, grow and lead the team.
Leadership from behind or as collective genius depends on the personality, training and perspective of the leader that he want to take. Both of these ways on leading a team is new and evolving already on some organization like the company I am working with. Each of us were given an equal chance to transfer or rotate from other projects for us to improve and gain some other skills and knowledge. Either of the ways on leading the teams, both were supportive for the development and growth of their team member through participation, collaboration and involvement on decision making, taking risk and presenting to higher management the accomplishments, progress or updates. With these treatments, each team member will own and feel that they belong to each other. They will then be motivated to work harder as each of them were recognized and appreciated every time and effort they are exerted for the team as every leader should also know that they don’t have the monopoly and of control of the knowledge.
Thus, when each of the team member were given an opportunity to step forward, given the chance to lead and show their full potential by doing what they want, true leader then can identify and used to the fullest each team members unique and diverse talents to further improve the team’s performance efficiently and effectively.