With “the leader as host” or “host leadership”, Mark McKergow offers us a very interesting new leadership perspective with an ancient yet new metaphor.
“This is a very interesting alternative leadership concept and fits in well with developing ideas regarding the need for leadership qualities throughout an organisation. It is a great concept that will stimulate much thought.”
Frederick Psyk, Non-Executive Director on the board of the Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, UK
“Mark McKergow presents a different, exciting perspective for those of us seeking meaning in a world of colossal complexity and unbounded possibilities.”
Prof Beverly Alimo-Metcalf
“The key role of the host – who receives and entertains guests – is deeply embedded in human society worldwide. In recent times we may have started to think of ‘hosts’ as either waiters or cheesy gameshow comperes. However, the act of inviting someone, of welcoming them, of responding to their needs whilst taking responsibility for their safety is a lens through which many dimensions of leadership can be viewed.
This is a very rich metaphor. It is a role which we all have first hand experience – who has not been invited into someone’s home, or invited others? And yet this role lies at the heart of many cultural and spiritual traditions. It builds and expands on the ideas of servant leadership, while making quite clear the responsive and interactional nature of leadership in a complex and changing world.
Host leadership can be seen alongside Mark McKergow’s previous work in pioneering the Solutions Focus (SF) approach in organisational change. The two ideas meld very well – an SF leader would be an excellent host.
Host leadership can be seen alongside Mark McKergow’s previous work in pioneering the Solutions Focus (SF) approach in organisational change. The two ideas meld very well – an SF leader would be an excellent host.” (found at www.hostleadership.com)
Download Mark’s article about host leadership or read more here.
