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

2. 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

3. 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?

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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