When we think of a leader, charisma—an individual’s ability to motivate people to follow them, share their vision, and ultimately do what they say—is often at the center of our image. Charismatic, transformational leaders are respected, admired, and even loved. A successful business, however, is about much more than one person, and the danger with an overreliance on an individual is that too much power accumulates at the top of the tree.

No one person has the answer to everything. Without other viewpoints critical thinking diminishes, staff feel powerless to share their views, and danger arises of the culture becoming cultlike rather than collaborative.

Collective leadership, where the load is shared and decisions are made through team-based processes, is both an ethical and pragmatic approach. It removes the risk that egos will run unchecked, and supports team motivation and autonomy.

Staff who feel they have a voice and impact on business direction are more invested and creative. This approach also serves to support the leader—as the saying goes, “It’s lonely at the top.”

This is not to suggest that hierarchy is completely removed. Without any top-down structure, informal leaders will emerge, based on their own charisma, performance, and social standing. While responsibility can and should be spread, a good leader must remain accountable.

, taking steps to improve local environments and the well-being of both staff and the wider community.

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