What does collective leadership refer to?

Collective leadership refers to the synchronization of leadership actions at different levels, which emphasizes the importance of collaboration and communication among leaders across an organization or team. This approach recognizes that effective leadership is not solely the responsibility of one individual at the top; rather, it involves coordinated efforts from multiple leaders who may operate at various levels within the hierarchy.

By aligning their strategies and actions, leaders can create a unified vision, enhance decision-making processes, and foster a supportive environment that encourages engagement among team members. Collective leadership aims to leverage the diverse skills and perspectives of multiple leaders to achieve common goals, ultimately leading to improved organizational performance and resilience.

In contrast, other concepts such as leadership in crisis situations, leader interactions at a single level, and leadership followership dynamics focus more narrowly on specific aspects of leadership or situational contexts. These do not capture the broader, interconnected nature of leadership as highlighted in collective leadership.