Shifting from superhero leadership  strategies is challenging due to a lack of understanding of how to build effective cultures through collective leadership. Transitioning from a traditional, directive leadership style to a more empowering, coaching-based approach involves several challenges. Leaders need to develop skills such as giving honest feedback, building rapport and ensuring psychological safety. 

Overcoming deeply entrenched beliefs in heroic leadership and managing potential negative behaviours in coaching relationships is also crucial. Aligning team and individual goals with broader organisational objectives, promoting collaboration and encouraging knowledge sharing are essential for driving innovation and engagement.

We should all beware the manager who preaches collective leadership, but then maintains a superhero mentality and pays lip service to what they think the team wants to hear. Acting with integrity and authenticity, the collective leader truly leads by example, listening and valuing the input of their team members.

Let’s stay mindful of some key real-world challenges:

1. Adapting to modern workplaces and navigating a complex landscape using collective leadership to foster engagement and drive success amid uncertainty.
2. Breaking free from outdated models and traditional leadership approaches to embrace a collective mindset that harnesses team expertise and potential.
3. Leveraging coaching for engagement to align individual and organisational goals, raise motivation and strengthen team relationships.
4. Building psychological capital to focus on self-efficacy, hope, optimism and resilience to mitigate risks and enhance organisational success in an ever-changing environment.

Creating followership with TeamOptix clients

While TeamOptix coaches have recorded great success helping schools as external coaches, we have also seen empowerment of internal manager-coaches in partnership with school leadership. Buy-in to the process relies on open communication to lay the foundations for a psychologically safe coaching environment where rather than feeling pressured by their departmental head, the coachee is encouraged to engage in the coaching process and share their input as a valued member of the team.

Pause for reflection

Let’s end with contemplative questions for both school leadership and departmental heads:

1. In what ways can we foster empowered followership within our teams?

2. How can you integrate collective leadership principles into your coaching practices with your team?