Concepts of community: A framework for contextualising distributed leadership

Abstract

This review of the literature on community and distributed leadership marks out the potential for a more context-rich understanding of the nature of leadership. The paper begins by reviewing the literature on distributed leadership, noting a shift from clichéd ideals to more structured frameworks. The paper then highlights the need to further contextualise notions of distributed leadership before going on to identify a number of concepts relating to community that are useful for theoretical reflection, research and practice. These concepts are: symbolism, a sense of belonging, a sense of community, individualism, values and ethics, language, dialect and discourse, liminality and friendship. The paper also develops a discussion around postmodern views of community and the importance of recognising multiple belonging and multiple identities. From the review the paper develops areas of reflection for theory, research and practice regarding distributed leadership and concept of community. The paper also highlights practical implications from the review by discussing the importance of taking these ideas into consideration in management and leadership development initiatives and in managerial practice in general.

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