SELF-ORGANIZING LEADERSHIP

At C-SOL, we help leaders learn how to be more effective leaders. The tree metaphor is helpful for thinking about leadership in organizations. Effective leaders know that, while they need to be centered in the self-organizing approach, that they also need to use operational and strategic approaches simultaneously and move among them as conditions change. Effective leadership can be described as a dance. It is a demanding dance—requiring a high level of consciousness on the part of both the leader and people throughout the organization.

We recognize that Leadership has three primary forms: 1) Operational Leadership (accomplishing operational tasks efficiently) 2) Strategic leadership (developing vision, mission and plans) and 3) Self-Organizing Leadership (improving organizational effectiveness). C-SOL emphasizes the third, much less common form, which, like the roots of the tree, when healthy and strong, makes the operational and strategic work of the organization far more efficient and effective.

Self-Organizing Leadership focuses on the creation and use of information, on the specific interactions among people and on the way they support the bigger organizational picture.  Self-Organizing Leadership adds significant value to your organization by making visible and accessible the knowledge that is already within the organization. Work patterns and processes are greatly improved because people co-create their future with you, releasing their energy creativity; resistance to change becomes a much smaller barrier.

The Work of Self-Organizing Leadership is to guide and support people in finding, recognizing, forming and reforming the inherent leadership capabilities that people within organizations and communities require today to thrive and become sustainable.

Note:  For detailed discussion about Self-Organizing Leadership, see "C-SOL Publications side-bar on this page"....then go to "Articles" and click on Self-Organizing Leadership - Pamphlet 3 - Discourse.

Or, to hear an audio discussion about Self-Organizing Leadership, see "C-SOL Publications side-bar" on this page"....then go to "In the Press" and click on the link to Self-Organizing Leadership audio presentation of Jan, 2003.

Or, for information on a CD/video on Self-Organizing Leadership Basics, please contact Dick Knowles at (716)731-2917.