Dynamics of Collective Leadership and Change in Pluralistic Organisations

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Pluralistic organisations are by definition settings in which multiplicity of actors and groups pursue varying goals. In such organisations where strategic leadership roles are shared, objectives are diverse and power is diffuse (no individual enjoys dominant power), major substantive changes are more likely to be effected under unified collective leadership or ‘constellation’ in which each member plays a distinct role and all members work together harmoniously. These peculiar situations are common in pluralistic organisations viz. hospitals where workforce is diversified, internal market and networks penetrate the organisational structure and where knowledge workers play key economic roles. Strategic leadership especially in these pluralistic organisations is a collective phenomenon to which different leaders can contribute in a different ways. The focus thus is more on the actions of the people in leadership position than on the demographics, personality or cognition. It is a dynamic phenomenon where the participants, roles and influences evolve over time and leadership roles and influences on them can extend beyond focal organisational boundaries. The collective leadership group or the top management team helps not only in adequate coverage of all activity domains but also allow different actors to play their respective roles in concerted manner. The collective leadership is in a better state to mobilise support and manage relationships, not only within the organisation, but also outside it within its network. Periods of major substantive changes in pluralistic organisations tends to be associated with the complementary and united leadership groups. Research also indicates that these collective leadership groups or constellations are fragile. They can become disconnected when discord among group members arises, become detached from their organisational

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