Teamership is a form of leadership

There are many definitions of leadership in both academic and business worlds. Putting “definition, leadership” into Google comes up with almost 1.5 billion hits in 0.52 seconds! It’s fair to say that there are quite a few different positions on what leadership is.

In the context of modern organisations, most of the useful definitions connect leadership with behaviours and actions - and not purely positional authority.

For example, from academic literature comes from Gary Yukl in 2013:

“…the process of influencing others to understand and agree about what needs to be done and how to do it, and the process of facilitating individual and collective efforts to accomplish shared objectives.'”

In the business world, an example is the following has been attributed to Graybar CEO, Kathy Mazzarelli:

“Leadership is about helping others realise their potential and inspiring them to work with you to achieve a shared vision for the future.”

Neither of these definitions require positional authority.

In modern organisations, where many real teams don’t exist on an organisational chart, we can’t rely on formally appointed leaders and managers to provide all of the necessary leadership. Some teams may have no members with a designated leadership or managerial position. Others, like leadership teams, consist exclusively of ‘leaders’.

All of these teams benefit from leadership. Leadership - as an act and a way of behaving that supports collective performance towards meaningful objectives.

Teamership is clearly not about leading with authority or a title. It is about individuals adding value and contributing to the team serving its purpose. Through this lens, Teamership is more dynamic and responsive than a title or even a role within a team.

While not the traditional form of leadership that defines strategy, goals, rewards and punishments, Teamership is a form of leadership that drives performance. It is quite possibly the most valuable - and simultaneously undervalued - form of leadership in organisations today.

Some questions for you to consider this week:

1. What is your definition of leadership?
2. How important is it for you and others to take leadership actions in your teams?
3. Do you agree that teamership is simultaneously valuable and undervalued as a form of leadership?

Keegan