I remember sitting in my graduate class a little over a year ago, which now based on the eventful year we have had at the university feels like ages ago, reviewing theories of leadership. Up until the mid way point in the class we discussed over and over again the qualities that are associated with leadership. Trait theory, Psychological Theory, Relational Theory, all of which attempted to explain in detail how individuals can become leaders. Individuals. When we think of leadership we usually think of a lone person. A person with a certain intelligence and/or charisma that qualifies him/her to captain the ship that carries our personal and professional wants and needs. We depend on these leaders to set a vision for us, and sometimes tell us what we should expect from ourselves. Kind of funny, because when you say it out loud it sounds kind of ridiculous.
However, this day in class was different. We had begun reading a new book by Peter Senge called the 5th Discipline. The primary focus of the book discusses the development and cultivation of what he calls learning organization. He argues that in order for an institution of any capacity to flourish that it must create an environment where the constituents, the people, constantly feel the need to learn and develop at every level. And not only is their added emphasis on learning but there is a responsibility to teach and help shape and inform the perspective of others. Out of this ideology comes the SHARED LEADERSHIP theory.
Shared Leadership theory basically argues that leadership is not dependent on what a leader does as much as it is what people do together. This concept takes the context of leadership out of the realm of positions and deposits it into the context of behavior. Leadership is not what you are It’s what you do. He argues that actions that help the group to achieve and move forward are what constitute leadership.
This idea really threw me for a loop. Clearly in any organization or at any university institution there has to be a clear cut leader. We need someone to make the tough decisions, and to guide our approach. Right? I see now that this method of thinking may have been a cop out. This was my way of surrendering my stake in the vision of my university community. Choosing to be a blind follower. This theory was my proverbial red pill.
I began to see myself as a leader in every context. Not only in positions that embedded "leader" in the job description, but in the classroom, the weight room, even within my family. The concept of social leadership was a powerful one to me because I felt it gave me increased authorship and influence of my life experience. But there where rules to how to do this. At least according to Senge.
The first rule being that a leader must operate from an ethical standpoint. And since this is social leadership the leader must be inclusive meaning that all people can share in the leadership process), and elevating (meaning that leadership must seek to better the group). Leadership must always be made using sound ethical judgment. Failure to do so leads to deceit, corruption and can create an abuse of power. (Cough *Hitler* Cough). All of which can be extremely detrimental to the group. This concept has been subject to much debate and I hope that it at least sparks conversation as to whether or not you feel it is mandatory for a leader to be ethical.
Secondly, a leader must have a sense of Ownership. This was my favorite part of this theory. The concept of ownership was important to me because this is why I feel this theory is so powerful. Having affirmed your ownership over a certain issue, it now becomes your responsibility to correct. However, depending on how big the issue is there can be multiple stake holders so it is also your responsibility to bring those individuals to the table and affirm for them their stake in the problem. Once people take ownership of an issue there is less individual burden and more support.
Thirdly, is the notion of learning. Learning to Senge means the practice of understanding of different things in the world needed for people to flourish. As a leader you must be willing to learn. Learning in the sense of becoming wiser and having a better understanding of the world around you. Learning is something that you do for others and with others. This concept helps to reinforce this notion of reciprocal leadership.
And lastly, a leadership involves sharing. Leaders are willing to be open and authentic with other members of a group. They seek to develop trust, respect, appreciation and concern for others. Having these values established helps to remind members of the group that leadership is based on interconnectedness.
Essentially what Senge has outlined are the principles for Democracy. However, in this democratic representation it is the responsibility for all stake holders to be informed, act ethically, value communication, and takes ownership of all issues. If only real democracy was that simple.
Basically, I say that to say this. As individuals at the institution who have been exalted as leaders in the CA position it is your responsibility to make sure that you are maximizing not only your potential but the potential of those individuals that you are working with. Having a title commands a sense of entitlement and presents a level of authority, but the most amazing work will in your residence halls will occur when the entire building takes ownership of creating a life changing experience. When every student feels like that have a voice, and when all members of the community are acting in response for what is best for the building and best for the CMU community. Learn from them as they learn from you. I would encourage you to be a facilitator of leadership behavior.
As a great man once said "You guys may not know this, but I consider myself…a bit of a loner. I tend to think of myself as a one man wolf pack. But when my sister brought Doug home, I knew he was one of my own. And my wolf pack, it grew by one. So were two…so there was two of us in the pack. I…I was alone first in the pack, and then Doug joined in later.
And 6 months ago, when Doug introduced me to you guys. I thought…wait a second, could it be. And now I know for sure, I just added 2 more guys to my wolf pack."
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