Comments on: Lessons in Distributed Leadership from the Obama Campaign http://aidontheedge.info/2009/12/04/lessons-in-distributed-leadership-from-the-obama-campaign/ Exploring complexity sciences in international development and humanitarian aid Wed, 28 Jul 2010 21:27:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: From traffic management to development management? « Aid on the Edge of Chaos http://aidontheedge.info/2009/12/04/lessons-in-distributed-leadership-from-the-obama-campaign/#comment-218 From traffic management to development management? « Aid on the Edge of Chaos Mon, 22 Feb 2010 13:02:46 +0000 http://aidontheedge.info/?p=369#comment-218 [...] The key may be finding ways of experimenting within existing strategic frameworks, and bringing new ways of thinking and theories of change to the table. In fact, it is arguable that some of the most significant successes in our sector have been because of a combination of top-down planning and emergent, self-organised behaviours – think of the Abstain, Be Faithful, Use Condoms campaign for HIV-AIDS in Uganda in the 1990s, and the successful Brazil eradication campaign of the 1990s. Elsewhere, the success of the Obama campaign has highlighted the power of an approach which combines a overall strategy with ‘distributed leadership’ (see a 2009 Aid on the Edge post on the campaign).  [...] [...] The key may be finding ways of experimenting within existing strategic frameworks, and bringing new ways of thinking and theories of change to the table. In fact, it is arguable that some of the most significant successes in our sector have been because of a combination of top-down planning and emergent, self-organised behaviours – think of the Abstain, Be Faithful, Use Condoms campaign for HIV-AIDS in Uganda in the 1990s, and the successful Brazil eradication campaign of the 1990s. Elsewhere, the success of the Obama campaign has highlighted the power of an approach which combines a overall strategy with ‘distributed leadership’ (see a 2009 Aid on the Edge post on the campaign).  [...]

]]> By: Ken Gillgren http://aidontheedge.info/2009/12/04/lessons-in-distributed-leadership-from-the-obama-campaign/#comment-71 Ken Gillgren Mon, 07 Dec 2009 03:56:09 +0000 http://aidontheedge.info/?p=369#comment-71 Absolutely critical at any level of community or organizational development, and as noted, especially in the face of uncertainty. I was just thinking back on a local-driven comprehensive community development project I participated in years ago in rural Oklahoma. It seemed like I think one thing that enabled more folks to feel confident enough to spontaneously take on leadership roles as needed was constantly working in teams of at least two insofar as possible--so there was always someone in an observing/learning position in the midst of getting the immediate job done. Thanks for the link! Absolutely critical at any level of community or organizational development, and as noted, especially in the face of uncertainty.

I was just thinking back on a local-driven comprehensive community development project I participated in years ago in rural Oklahoma.

It seemed like I think one thing that enabled more folks to feel confident enough to spontaneously take on leadership roles as needed was constantly working in teams of at least two insofar as possible–so there was always someone in an observing/learning position in the midst of getting the immediate job done.

Thanks for the link!

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