Host Leadership: An Alternative to Servant Leadership
For those steeped in agile culture, the concept of servant leadership is familiar: managers are meant to support their teams, clear obstacles, and shield them from corporate turbulence. However, a recent discussion with Kent Beck highlighted a fundamental flaw in this model—it borders on gaslighting. While the manager professes to be a servant, everyone involved is acutely aware of where the actual authority resides.
An alternative framework, shared by colleague Giles Edwards-Alexander, emerged from work with mental-health professionals. This approach repositions the leader as a host: creating a conducive environment, inviting the team in, supplying ideas and challenges, and then retreating to allow for autonomous work. The host, much like the idealized servant leader, prioritizes the well-being of the team, yet retains the authority to step in if circumstances require intervention.
Further Reading
- Dr Mark McKergow and Helen Bailey published a book on the topic in 2014.
- Visit hostleadership.com for ongoing resources, including a blog.
- McKergow and Bailey also contributed a concise piece to HR Review detailing the six roles of engagement for host leaders.
