Collective Leadership In The Workplace

The 21st century enterprise’s conception of leadership is quite different from that of the past. Power-thirsty autocrats and strict hierarchical systems have now predominantly been replaced by a system in which the leadership role is not confined to one individual, but is rather a joint identity: collective leadership. In the workplace, taking on this approach holds promising results, especially in the medical sector (i.e. in pharmacies) where the quality of patient care relies heavily on how well a diverse group of experts work together, but it also requires quite a bit of effort and maturity to make it flourish (Kocolowski, M.D, 2010:26). Not only will relationships amongst colleagues undergo drastic changes, but each individual will have

It is therefore imperative to discuss the predictive value of collective leadership, as well as to determine how it can be successfully applied in the workplace, in particular in the pharmaceutical

In modern times, however, informal relationships have started to develop between individuals within collective groups. When studying collective leadership, three crucial pillars can be identified: direction, alignment and commitment - necessities to achieve collective goals (Chrobot-Mason et al., 2016:307). Collective leadership is a valuable resource. According to a study by Johnson et al. (cited by Chrobot-Mason et al., 2016:300), successful leaders demonstrated a more collective identity, shifting their focus from individual priorities to that of the whole. This, as well as individual involvement, are two key aspects of efficacious leadership. If everyone is willing to make a mind-shift, actively start participating and accept leadership and information from their fellow employees, the working environment will, before long, facilitate optimal functioning. Yes, tension amongst co-workers is inescapable, but can be relieved through open communication and by seeing each incident as an opportunity for collective learning. In conclusion, the benefits of shared leadership include the optimal utilisation of individuals’ strengths, reduced stress levels in the work place and the opportunity for creativity to prosper (Kocolowski, M.D,