Co-Active Leadership, Second Edition, 2nd Edition

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Co-Active Leader in Front

When we think about leaders and leadership, we usually think of some variation of Leader in Front. We have created myths, legends, and heroic stories about brilliant and inspiring leaders who have stepped out in front and said, “I see where we need to go. Follow me.”

All too often, however, leaders are expected to push for immediate outcomes no matter the cost. This in turn fosters the need to be demanding and directive. Co-Active Leader in Front, however, is not about dominating people and telling them what to do. We call this kind of command-and-control leadership Leader on Top. In Leader on Top, leadership becomes transactional rather than relational, as the ones at the top do whatever is necessary to meet the ...