What is different about our notion of leadership? by Mary e Gardner

Linda Lambert and I advance a perspective on leadership that separates the broader notion from the individual and invokes a richer set of skills and dispositions.  When leadership is viewed as the capacity to engage in reciprocal, purposeful learning in community. The notion of leadership is moved into the network of learning relationships in an organization.  This notion of leadership relies on equitable relationships, the exercise of collaboration, moral purpose and engaged learning communities.  We believe women have a natural inclination for this way of being in the world.

In our study of local, national and international women leaders we found patterns of leadership which embrace a “new century” perspective.  Leading is a form of mutual, purposeful learning. This purpose is more that survival-driven purpose; it is morally engaged purpose and informs moment-to-moment actions, how others are treated, visions for a better works, equity, democracy, human rights caring, and social justice.  Relationships in pursuit of leading and learning are reciprocal.   I am responsible for your learning and you are responsible for mine.

Mary and Linda

(From our book WOMEN’S WAYS OF LEADING. http://www.womenswaysofleading.com. )

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