Collaborative Leadership

Hundreds of Canadian geese winter around here, giving us many opportunities to observe their flight patterns, takeoffs and landings.  Their familiar “V” flying wedge makes a good illustration of leadership – the leader at the point of the “V” with followers trailing behind, honking all the way.  What isn’t obvious at first is the way the flock manages leadership change.  Take a closer look.  

The leader goose sets the course and leads the way.  The others follow in his wake, enjoying a bit of a free ride on the air currents from the leader goose.  After awhile, the leader begins to tire, so another follower goose takes the lead, and the previous leader drops back to enjoy the air currents stirred up by the new leader.  After awhile, the leader changes again.   What a marvelous illustration of collaborative leadership!  The leader is first the leader, then the follower, then the leader again.  It’s much the same as an orchestra conductor who sometimes leads, sometimes follows and lets the soloist lead.  The collaborative leader both leads and follows.

Coaching Moments:

1.      As a leader, when is it important to follow rather than lead?

2.      How do you follow and still maintain your leadership?

3.      What are three ways that you collaborate with others?