How to define Executive Teamship?
Kees van Middendorp
ICF PCC & ACTC certified. Executive, Leadership, Team & Business Coaching. Organization Change, Development, and culture.
Executive teamship has evolved significantly over the past decade, reflecting a shift from traditional executive models towards more collaborative and adaptive frameworks.
The three most accepted definitions of executive teamship can be summarized as follows:
?1. Shared Leadership: Executive teamship is characterized by shared leadership, where leadership roles and influence are distributed among team members rather than centralized in a single leader. This approach enhances team dynamics and fosters a sense of collective responsibility, leading to improved team performance and engagement (Roekel, 2023; , Zhang et al., 2013).
2. Team Ambidexterity: Another definition emphasizes the concept of team ambidexterity, which refers to the ability of executive teams to balance exploration and exploitation activities. This dual capability is crucial for innovation and adaptability in rapidly changing environments, allowing teams to respond effectively to both current demands and future opportunities (Lawrence et al., 2021; , Jansen et al., 2016).
3. Collaborative Decision-Making: Executive teamship also involves collaborative decision-making processes, where diverse perspectives are integrated to enhance problem-solving and strategic planning. This collaborative approach is essential for fostering resilience and adaptability within teams, enabling them to navigate complex challenges effectively (López-Gajardo et al., 2023; , Otter & Paxton, 2017).
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How did Executive Team coaching developed the last ten years?
Over the last ten years, the development from traditional executive models to executive teamship has been marked by several key trends. Traditional models often relied on hierarchical structures with a clear delineation of authority and decision-making power. However, contemporary organizations have increasingly recognized the limitations of such models, particularly in terms of responsiveness and innovation. Research indicates that supportive leadership behaviours and collaborative practices have become critical for fostering team ambidexterity and enhancing overall performance (Jansen et al., 2016; , Duff, 2013).
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The rise of digital technologies and remote work has further accelerated this shift, necessitating more flexible and adaptive leadership styles that prioritize team cohesion and communication (Sandberg, 2023).
?What to expect from the development of Executive teamship in the next 5 year?
Looking forward, the next five years are expected to see further advancements in executive teamship. As organizations continue to face rapid changes and uncertainties, the emphasis on agility and resilience will likely intensify.
Future executive teams are anticipated to adopt even more decentralized leadership structures, leveraging technology to facilitate real-time collaboration and decision-making (Jadhav et al., 2017). Additionally, the integration of artificial intelligence and data analytics in leadership practices may enhance the ability of teams to make informed decisions quickly, thereby improving their responsiveness to market dynamics (Laser, 2023). The focus on diversity and inclusion within executive teams is also expected to grow, as diverse perspectives are increasingly recognized as vital for fostering innovation and effective problem-solving (Landry, 2015). In conclusion, the evolution towards executive teamship reflects a broader recognition of the importance of collaboration, adaptability, and shared leadership in achieving organizational success. As this trend continues, organizations will need to cultivate environments that support these dynamics to thrive in an increasingly complex business landscape.?
So for our future articles about this subject, What is our definition of Executive Teamship?
Based on the three definitions discussed previously, a strong and concise definition of Executive Teamship could be articulated as follows:
Executive Teamship is a collaborative leadership approach characterized by shared responsibility and decision-making among team members, enabling the team to balance exploration and exploitation activities effectively, thereby enhancing organizational adaptability and performance.
This definition encapsulates the essence of executive teamship by emphasizing the collaborative nature of leadership, the importance of shared responsibility, and the dual capability of teams to innovate while managing current operations. It reflects the contemporary understanding of leadership dynamics in organizations, highlighting the need for adaptability in an increasingly complex business environment.
References 1. Roekel, R. (2023). Examining employee willingness to execute shared leadership: The role of leadership behaviour, gender, age, and context. Leadership, doi:10.1177/17427150231198978. 2. Lawrence, T. B., et al. (2021). TMT leadership ambidexterity: balancing exploration and exploitation behaviors for innovation. European Journal of Innovation Management, doi:10.1108/ejim-07-2020-0275. 3. Jansen, J. J. P., et al. (2016). A Socio‐Psychological Perspective on Team Ambidexterity: The Contingency Role of Supportive Leadership Behaviours. Journal of Management Studies, doi:10.1111/joms.12183. This definition and the accompanying references provide a solid foundation for understanding the concept of Executive Teamship in the context of modern organizational leadership
Top Voice (LinkedIn), #1 Leadership Coach (Global Gurus), Advisor at Harvard Business Review, Master Certified Coach (ICF MCC), #1 Coach Trainer (Thinkers50), CEO at Global Coach Group
1 个月It's incredible to witness the evolution of executive teamship over the years, as it mirrors the growing emphasis on collaboration, adaptability, and shared leadership in our dynamic business landscape. Your integration of shared leadership, team ambidexterity, and collaborative decision-making to formulate a comprehensive definition strengthens the understanding of executive teamship and aligns it with current organizational needs.
Author of 'Teamschap' | Investor in psychometrics for business | retired Executive
1 个月Thanks for sharing this Kees. Interesting insights! In my definition of Teamschap (Dutch) the focus is on 'working together' (for shared goals, vision, etc) and 'taking responsibility' (of own performance). Indeed the roles of Leader and Follower are flexible (shared leadership), depending on situation and required expertise. If you do this with respect and awareness of diversity (eg in skills), such insight might lead to dual capability (team ambidexterity and Collaboratove Decision-making). I am in!
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1 个月Tapping into the collective potential of a team as a whole will definately increase drive for results, adapting change and creating growth. Three pilars most exec teams and organizations are striving for ! Great read Kees van Middendorp, Thanks for sharing
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1 个月Love these wonderful insights about Executive Leadership. Didn’t know about Team ambidexterity within Executive Leadership frameworks, until now!