360° Degree Leadership In The Public Sector: Developing An Approach To Collective Leadership

Leadership theories have focused on the innate qualities of an individual, the behaviors adopted, the situations in which leadership takes place and leadership that is specific to particular functions. These theories have their place but arguably they tend to ignore leadership increasingly important dynamics within partnership contexts. The paper examines the concept of public leadership and asks whether there is a better way of leading. It introduces the notion of a collective leadership style where leaders at all levels both share and distribute leadership responsibilities.