Ensemble leadership theory

Collectivist, relational, and heterarchical roots from indigenous contexts

Bibliographic Data

ID7098874
AuthorsGrace Ann Rosile (New Mexico State University, corresponding author), David M Boje (0000-0002-1691-1189, New Mexico State University), Carma M Claw (New Mexico State University)
Year2016
Volume14
Issue3
Pages307-328
Publication date2016-06-07
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueLeadership (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1742-7150 • E-ISSN: 1742-7169
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/1742715016652933
OpenAlexW2418421089
LanguageEN
Citations received16
References cited29

We offer an “ensemble” theory of leadership that emerges from contemporary indigenous scholarship and also from the archeology of the prehispanic southwest. We see ensemble leadership theory as starting from a different origin: the indigenous world-view. It provides an emphasis in the leadership context, which is largely missing in traditional leadership literature. First, the ensemble leadership theory casts leadership as a collective phenomenon, and privileges the collective rather than the individual. This moves away from the “hero” leadership views and instead, connects with the recent “relationality” and “shared” views of leadership, breaking new ground in collective leadership. Second, the ensemble leadership theory is dynamic rather than static, as revealed using storytelling and “antenarrative” analysis. Third, the ensemble leadership theory assumes a social structure, which is decentered as well as multi-centered and nonhuman-centric. Fourth, the combination of dynamism and multi-centeredness yields a structure which storytelling scholars call “rhizomatic” and archeologists term “heterarchical.” These ensemble leadership theory qualities of collectivist, relational, dynamic, and heterarchic are all drawn from indigenous cultures. In particular, archeologists have found heterarchical leadership structures in the prehispanic southwest portions of North America. In sum, ensemble leadership theory offers a time-tested model of a more relational and collectivist view of leadership

Collectivism · Epistemology · Indigenous · Individualism · Leadership · Leadership studies · Leadership style · Linguistics · Political science · Public relations · Servant leadership · Shared leadership · Sociology · Storytelling · Anthropology: Ethics, History, Culture · Ecology · Indigenous Health, Education, and Rights · Law · Management and Organizational Studies

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