Formal and Informal Leadership Gary De Carolis, President Center for Community Leadership 8th Annual Family Café/Delegate Leadership Seminar

Learning Objectives Clarify the advantages and limitations of both formal and informal leadership Understand the critical roles of formal and informal leadership to system change; share strategies to lead without authority Gain insight into value of and strategies for partnering between formal and informal leaders Anticipate what to expect from leading both within and outside of the formal leadership role, and risks all leaders face

PARTICIPANTS WILL EXPLORE THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS: What are key characteristics of formal leadership and informal leadership? In what situations is each type of leadership appropriate and most effective? How does one gain and use leadership outside of the formal leadership role? How can formal leadership benefit from informal leaders and vice versa? What are risks unique to formal and to informal leadership and what risks do all leaders share?

Formal Leadership Decision-making responsibility, influence and authority come with the position Respect for the responsibility and authority of the position Many stakeholders are attached to the formal leader Formal leaders often are limited in their ability to move left or right Formal leaders can benefit from informal leaders’ ability to challenge the status quo Based on Heifetz, Leadership Without Easy Answers

Informal Leadership Informal leadership requires personal courage and risk-taking Informal leaders create influence and informal authority without the benefit of formal titles Networks of informal leadership can be a powerful force Informal leaders often use “creative deviance” strategically Based on Heifetz, Leadership Without Easy Answers and adapted from Leadership Academy

An Informal Leader’s Words “Cowardice asks the question, Is it safe? Expediency asks the question, Is it politic? Vanity asks the question, Is it popular? But conscience asks the question, Is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but (s)he must make it because his/her conscience tells him/her that it is right…” Martin Luther King

Formal Leadership: What to Expect As a leader, you will always fail someone You will be scrutinized by the media, the public, and the power structure You will be alternately flattered, wooed, and threatened by various interests You must partner with others and practice the art of compromise in order to realize your vision Based on Heifetz, Leadership Without Easy Answers and adapted from Leadership Academy

Informal Leadership: What to Expect You can spark the debate, but you cannot orchestrate it You must regulate distress by modulating provocation; gauge when to push and when to let up/slow down You may become a lightning rod for conflict, anger, frustration Based on Heifetz, Leadership Without Easy Answers and adapted from Leadership Academy

The Risks and Challenges of Leadership You may be attacked, dismissed, silenced, or as an extreme measure, assassinated You may risk your job, reputation, and in rare cases risk your well-being Attempts may be made to discredit you based on gender, race, cultural background, social standing, economic status, perceived lack of expertise/experience, age, education Based on Heifetz, Leadership Without Easy Answers and adapted from Leadership Academy

Growing as a Leader You will make mistakes, both personal and tactical Keep the vision front and center The reactions you experience often come from fear and misunderstanding Surround yourself with allies and confidants; take time for sanctuary; learn to use the balcony Based on Heifetz, Leadership Without Easy Answers and adapted from Leadership Academy