Collaborative LeadershipWhat does collaborative leadership look like in comparison to traditional leadership?

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Case for Collaborative Leadership

● Traditional leadership hierarchies can’t move fast enough to respond or meet the rapidly changing needs demanded by today’s market

● It’s not enough to rely on ‘smart leaders’ to come up with the solutions. Leverage team & crowdsourcing

● Today’s employees demand more engagement and respect that can be offered by a collaborative leadership model

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Relies on authority or collective power?

How is information flow handled?

Firefighter or proactive innovator?

Smartest guy or smartest team?

Formal vs. informal feedback?

Traditional vs. Collaborative Leaders

Are roles strictly governed or adapted as needed?

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Traditional vs. Collaborative LeadershipAuthority vs. Collective Power

Assumption: Power comes from one’s position of authorityWe can’t question the boss’s authority

Assumption: true power is generated collectively by the teamWith proper guidance and leadership, the different perspectives on our team will help us build stronger products and solutions

Is this you or your organization? Or is this more like it?

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Traditional vs. Collaborative LeadershipFlow of Information

Assumption: As a leader it’s better to keep information to oneselfStaff should not be exposed to information as it’s only those at the top who are qualified to make decisions

Assumption: As a leader it’s beneficial to my team that they have as much information as possible or as is appropriateMy team functions better and more confidently when they have the information that they need

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Traditional vs. Collaborative LeadershipFire Fighting vs. Proactive Innovation

Assumption: Reactive leadership - fights fires We spend a lot of time solving problems rather than determining how to prevent them from happening

Assumption: Proactive leadership - seeks to uncover root causes and focuses on improvement and innovationWe take the time to look at process improvement on a regular basis to increase our input or improve customer service 6

Traditional vs. Collaborative LeadershipSmartest Guy in the Room vs. the Smartest Team

Assumption: The leader comes up with the final idea or solutionIt’s best to let the boss share the ideas and then agree

Assumption: The leader solicits suggestions and ideas from their teamIn our group we are encouraged to bring solutions to the table. Our boss may decide which one’s to focus on, but we provide data and input 7

Traditional vs. Collaborative LeadershipFormal Feedback vs. Informal Feedback

Assumption: Leadership only gives formal feedbackMy boss doesn’t give me feedback unless it’s on a performance review sheet. They sometimes feel uncomfortable providing feedback.

Assumption: In addition to review period feedback, leader gives informal feedback on a regular basis using coaching opportunities on the jobMy boss often checks in with me to see how things are going on a project. Sometimes she asks if there’s anything I need or provides me with suggestions when I am stuck 8

Traditional vs. Collaborative LeadershipDefined Structure vs. Evolving Roles and Responsibilities

Assumption: Roles are defined and static, and each person has their place under the leader’s watchEveryone has a role that is defined. We stick to what has been defined rather than change. I’ve been doing the same thing for three years now

Assumption: Roles and responsibilities can change and fluctuate under the leader’s watch.Me and my team mates’ roles have evolved over the course of time as is needed by the projects or products we must develop

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References

8 Differences Between Traditional & Collaborative Leaderhttp://www.innocentive.com/blog/2013/11/21/8-differences-between-traditional-and-collaborative-leaders/ Tips for Collaborative Leadership http://www.forbes.com/sites/carolkinseygoman/2014/02/13/8-tips-for-collaborative-leadership/ Are You a Collaborative Leader? https://hbr.org/2011/07/are-you-a-collaborative-leader

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