Shared leadership - Romans 12

Why shared leadership is challenging

Of all the aspects of leadership, often shared leadership is the most challenging and yet almost everyone recognizes that leadership should not be in the hands of one person. Shared leadership is challenging because:

Sharing leadership can introduce ambiguity - A strict top down hierarchy with well defined lines of authority removes ambiguity. In a structure where even the top leader submits to the wisdom of others, the lines can feel blurred.

Shared leadership can introduce disagreements - When it is clear that the boss has the final word, expectations are low that other ideas and inputs will be entertained.

Pride and desire for control are part of everyone’s sin nature - Because this is true, it is hard to trust others if there isn’t a hierarchy to protect our position.

What is shared leadership

Shared leadership is based on the image of a body. The head of the body is Jesus. There are no greater or lesser parts. They all have a role to play. The parts belong to each other. The parts have significance because they belong to the body. The body doesn’t have significance because of any one part. The body doesn’t belong to the hand or the eye. The hand and the eye belongs to the body.

In shared leadership there is the recognition that each part is uniquely designed and gifted for a purpose. Therefore each member of the body recognizes this and appreciates the strengths of others. Each member resists the urge to control the others. There is freedom for each to exercise their gifts.

Even though there is most often one person who is up front with the title of director or president, even this person plays a role with diligence.