Joseph Kessels on Distributed Leadership and Learning Culture

Summary

The video script explores the concept of distributed leadership, contrasting it with traditional positional leadership. It highlights how distributed leadership allows for flexible influence based on expertise and situational needs, encouraging all members to lead and follow, fostering a culture of continuous learning and development. The script also discusses the importance of professional space for employees to exert influence and the shift towards network-based organizational structures. It concludes by emphasizing the unique value of distributed leadership in empowering individuals to take initiative and grow within their roles.

Takeaways

• 🔑 Distributed leadership is a flexible model where influence is exerted by members with specific expertise or experience, rather than a single formal leader.
• 👥 In distributed leadership, all members are expected to be able to both lead and follow, supporting each other in their work and taking initiative.
• 🌟 Positional leadership is characterized by a clear hierarchy with a single leader in a formal position, such as CEO or manager, who makes final decisions.
• 🛠 Positional leadership provides stability and security, while distributed leadership fosters innovation and the optimal use of expertise.
• 💡 Understanding each other's skills and capabilities is crucial for members to claim and grant leadership roles in a distributed leadership model.
• 🏗️ Professional space is the influence area every employee has, and it is important for both leadership visions, but the responsibility for it differs.
• 📈 The positional team may work more efficiently with a well-trained leader, while the distributed team can focus on innovative execution and gaining experience.
• 🌱 In distributed leadership, continuous learning and self-development are critical for members to contribute effectively and lead when necessary.
• 🌐 Modern organizations are moving away from classical hierarchies towards networks and flexible connections, which aligns with the principles of distributed leadership.
• 🌟 Transformational leadership, a type of positional leadership, involves an inspiring vision and personal consideration for each employee, remaining relevant in modern organizations.
• 🚀 The ability to learn and develop is a crucial requirement for success in organizations, which is a key aspect of both positional and distributed leadership paradigms.

Q & A

What are the two main visions of leadership discussed in the script?

The two main visions of leadership discussed are positional leadership and distributed leadership.

What is the primary characteristic of positional leadership?

Positional leadership is characterized by a single leader, often a heroic figure, who provides direction, stability, and security through a formal position such as CEO, manager, or team leader.

How does the script describe the hierarchical structure in positional leadership?

The hierarchical structure in positional leadership is clear, allowing the leader to steer, control, check, monitor, and if necessary, punish. It offers a formal legitimacy for leadership.

What is the essence of distributed leadership according to the script?

Distributed leadership is a more flexible model where influence is not only exerted by the formal leader but by any member with the specific expertise or experience required for a task or problem at hand.

How does the script suggest that members in a distributed leadership model should understand each other?

Members in a distributed leadership model should have a clear understanding of each other's skills, capabilities, and ambitions to be able to claim and grant leadership roles effectively.

What is the expectation from members in a distributed leadership model regarding initiative and leadership?

In a distributed leadership model, all members are expected to take initiative, take on leadership roles, and support each other in their work.

What is the importance of continuous learning and development in the context of distributed leadership?

Continuous learning and development are crucial in distributed leadership as all members need to keep improving themselves and make an effort to learn, given that experience and expertise are critical ingredients of this leadership style.

What is the concept of 'Professional Space' as mentioned in the script?

'Professional Space' is the space that every employee has and needs to exert influence on workflows and setups. It is a key aspect of both leadership visions but is managed differently depending on who is responsible for it.

How does the script differentiate between the performance paradigm and the development paradigm?

The script suggests that the performance paradigm focuses on the manager's improvement in a successful positional model, while the development paradigm emphasizes continuous learning and development for all employees, which is more aligned with distributed leadership.

What role does a transformational leader play in modern organizations according to the script?

A transformational leader, as a positional leader with an inspiring vision, stimulates with substance and shows personal consideration to each employee, playing a crucial role in modern organizations that are moving away from classical hierarchies.

How does the script suggest leadership is evolving from positional to distributed?

The script suggests that leadership is evolving from positional to distributed as organizations are becoming increasingly smart and network-based, requiring all employees to continuously learn and develop, and the distinctions between performance and development paradigms are blurring.

What is the special aspect of distributed leadership highlighted in the script?

The special aspect of distributed leadership highlighted is that it offers professional space for everyone to learn and develop, but it requires employees to take initiative and have the courage to exert leadership.