Develop authentic leadership – be a good host approaching leadership in a new way using the familiar techniques of hosting
| Published date | 08 June 2015 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/SHR-03-2015-0020 |
| Pages | 85-88 |
| Date | 08 June 2015 |
| Author | Mark McKergow |
| Subject Matter | HR & organizational behaviour,Employee behaviour |
Develop authentic leadership – be a
good host approaching leadership in a
new way using the familiar techniques of
hosting
Mark McKergow
Mark McKergow is a
Consultant, Author,
Speaker at Host
Leadership, London, UK.
Abstract
Purpose –This article aims to present an initial look at a new leadership metaphor – the leader as host. This
apparently everyday idea is placed into the context of the challenges of modern leadership, with particular
reference to the importance of building engagement and tackling “wicked” problems. The metaphor is examined
from three initial perspectives; hosts and host leaders set context, give protection and enable community.
Design/methodology/approach –This is a conceptual paper connecting the everyday idea with
hosting as a new metaphor for leadership. The metaphor proves startlingly relevant when set alongside
recent academic writings about leadership challenges.
Findings –We have all been hosts in some level, we have all been guests, we all know good hosting
when we see it. Host leadership can offer a rich new concept of leadership, about which I have only
scratched the surface here.
Originality/value –The metaphor of leader as host is new and fresh for exploring. It yields valuable
practical connections for leadership development as well as fresh thinking perspectives. This is
different to the better-known metaphor of servant-leadership. As the article reveals, hosts serve but they
take on other additional roles and accountabilities.
Keywords Human resource management, Employee engagement, Coaching,
Learning and development, Engagement, Collective leadership
Paper type Conceptual paper
The art of leading has never been easy, and it seems to be getting harder all the time.
Communication is faster, connection is greater, markets are global and whatever
action we take is part of a great onrushing whirl of conversation and innovation. In
this world, what does it mean to lead? People can get all the information they need
(apparently from whatever perspective they want) at the touch of a button. They can
interact with whomever they want. So, the classical heroic view of a leader as “the one who
knows everything” is clearly obsolete.
Host leadership offers an alternative – a new metaphor. Much current leadership thinking
seems to put the focus on the leader. I think this is a mistake. Leading is about a
relationship – between the leader and the others. The word “followers” is not a great term
for those people. It takes two to have a relationship – but the leader is only one person, one
end of a relationship. Host leadership is about building relationships – at work, in the
community, in society, at home – to engage others. This engagement is the key ingredient
that leads to increased performance and results.
Leadership as engagement
In the old days of mass production, everyone had something to do, and as long as they did
it, all would be fine; the system would fit together and products would emerge. These kinds
DOI 10.1108/SHR-03-2015-0020 VOL. 14 NO. 3 2015, pp. 85-88, © Emerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 1475-4398 STRATEGIC HR REVIEW PAGE 85
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