Collaborative Leadership

The goal of the task, as well as the deadline, are clear to all members of the team. The path to the goal is not yet known, nor is how to distribute the required tasks among the team members. The level of trust among them is very high because everyone knows that each person will contribute their utmost to the common task. Ideas as to how to achieve the goal are communicated remotely, everyone contributes to brainstorming via the Internet when they have time or come up with an idea.

The decision as to which ideas will be implemented is made spontaneously, without the need for individuals to prove their point because everyone is focused on the best possible outcome for everyone involved. The individuals who, on their own initiative, come forward to carry out the specific activities required to realize the idea are the ones that have the necessary talent, knowledge, equipment, and time. Everyone implements the activities that they have undertaken, while simultaneously informing each other of, coordinating, and agreeing on possible deviations from the original idea. The task is fully executed without a formal team leader but rather through the self-organization of the team members who understand the task and are motivated to achieve the desired result. When the task is completed, every team member is proud of it: “We did this.”

Does this sound utopian? I have merely described an already established manner of collaboration among friends and the way we self-organize when planning celebrations, trips, or holidays. We spontaneously introduced such manner of co-creation several years ago when we no longer had the time to meet in person and decided to simply communicate online.

And I am glad that now I can experience this also in a business context. For example in a team, co-creating the AEIOU Leadership School and AEIOU Breakthrough for Female Leaders.