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Running head: THE LEADER AS A TEAM PLAYER: SHARED LEADERSHIP
The Leader as a Team Player: Shared Leadership
Selinna Echavarria
Liberty University
By submitting this assignment, I attest this submission represents my own work, and not that of
another student, scholar, or internet source. I understand I am responsible for knowing and
correctly utilizing referencing and bibliographical guidelines.
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THE LEADER AS A TEAM PLAYER: SHARED LEADERSHIP
Abstract
This paper thoroughly describes Shared Leadership theory and its intensions and functions.
Shared Leadership is when leadership is divided amongst the group of individuals. When Shared
Leadership is established in a school setting, ownership develops amongst the employees. Shared
Leadership is also discussed by weaknesses and strengths being defended by Biblical principles.
The Bible discusses leadership in the book of Ecclesiastes reminding us that two individuals are
better than one. Shared Leadership is compared to two or more indiivudals providing input
and/or ideas within a business to achieve goals. Shared Leadership is also discussed by
weaknesses and strengths being defended by scholarly literature. Shared Leadership is a
substitute for leaders who are traditionally set. Within this paper a fictional case study was also
conducted to better define Shared Leadership. The case study which defined Shared Leadership
was also written with Biblical integration about a television show called Stranger Things. The
case study expressed the need of Shared Leadership within the group of children and adults who
were appointed to save the world. New insights regarding Shared Leadership were discussed and
explained from the writer’s point of view.
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THE LEADER AS A TEAM PLAYER: SHARED LEADERSHIP
The Leader as a Team Player: Shared Leadership
Intended Purpose and Functions
Shared Leadership theory is when more than one person is a leader in a group, essentially
team leadership. Shared Leadership intends to decentralize management (Antonakis & Day,
2017). When management is decentralized in a school setting, power has the ability to be shared
between a group of individuals. The intent of Shared Leadership theory is to lead one another
into the achievement of the group’s goals. A group of individuals using Shared Leadership must
be disposed to providing criticism to the group which will then influence the direction of the
group (Packer, Miners, & Ungson, 2018). The group can then be influenced into the continuation
of good work or influenced to improve towards effectiveness.
Effectiveness Through Biblical Principles
When a group of people work together, they can multiply their potency and get more
done as a team. Ecclesiastes 4:9 states, “Two are better than one, because they have a good
return for their labor” (NIV). Working together creates harmony instead of disorder (Chen, Ünal,
Leung, & Xin, 2016). Proverbs 27:17 states, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens
another” (NIV). This verse in Proverbs teaches us that team members have each other’s backs;
they help one another keep sight on the goals of the establishment. These two verses from
Ecclesiastes and Proverbs describe the effectiveness of Shared Leadership theory by expressing
how a two or more people working together allows for successful results. 1 Peter 4:10 also
expresses how every man has their own personalized gift from God, that being said, if two
people are working together can magnify the effectiveness of an establishment by collaborating
ideas. After ideas are collaborated, a school can run efficiently because all team members are
listened to and can input ideas to correct an issue or better the team’s effectiveness. Shared
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THE LEADER AS A TEAM PLAYER: SHARED LEADERSHIP
Leadership is Biblically sound when regarding power equality in leadership and should be used
in any establishment (Barna, 2013). Like any leadership type, Shared Leadership has its strengths
and weaknesses.
Strengths and Weaknesses According to Scholarly Literature
Compared to other types of leadership styles, Shared Leadership results in higher levels
of career gratification (McCleskey, 2014). When a participant of a group feels included, they feel
like their opinion and ideas matter. When individuals feel valuable, they work harder towards
success. Shared Leadership brings ownership, and ownership carries an enduring promise to
constant improvement for the individuals who work (Zhou, Vredenburgh, & Rogoff, 2015). In
this case, ownership is best represented by a feeling of importance or relevance. Shared
Leadership theory allows group members to input ideas, receive criticism, and observe change
for the entirety of the organization.
Shared Leadership theory also has some weaknesses. One of the biggest weaknesses that
Shared Leadership carries is time. Time is a main component when using Shared Leadership
because this theory is essentially a development (Kantabutra, 2012). Like any sport, practice
makes perfect and perfection is not accrued overnight. The skills of both the teachers and the
principles develop overtime to work together (Loewenberg Ball & Forzani, 2009). Shared
Leadership has the same benefits of a long-term relationship which leads to marriage and creates
oneness. Shared Leadership also takes time to create and develop rapport between employees
and superiors (Gunter, Berardinelli, Blakeney, Cronenwett, & Gurvis, 2017). Another weakness
consists of leaders having to be aware of peer attitudes. Being aware of peer attitudes can take
away from an effectively ran school in a way that leaders cannot please all team members
(Petrova, Wyman, Schmeelk‐Cone, & Pisani, 2015). Leaders should be able to execute ideas
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THE LEADER AS A TEAM PLAYER: SHARED LEADERSHIP
without needing to please others or adjusting the plan(s). Shared Leadership and its effectiveness
can be discussed through a case study.
Case Study
For the past three years Hawkins, Indiana has been invaded by Demogorgon’s, Demo
Dogs, and The Mind Flayer. These creatures come from the Upside Down, a parallel universe
which requires entrance from a gate located in a classified lab in Hawkins. The scientists in the
lab have decided to maintain the gate open and examine the creatures in the Upside Down
despite their flesh-eating habits. It is up to Eleven, Dustin, Mike, Will, Lucas, Nancy, Max,
Hopper, Steve, Johnathan, Joyce, Billy, and many others to work together as a team and save
Hawkins and the entire world.
While attempting to save the world, the team as individuals were not able to do so alone.
Each member of the team knew parts to the solution but did not immediately share their
knowledge. One issue included the lack of communication between team members. Some team
members were children and others were adults. Will managed to get trapped in the Upside Down
and a rescue mission began. The Hawkins children may not always be credible as a source of
knowledge to save the world. The adults did not comprehend when the children discussed the
creatures of the Upside Down because the adults were the only leaders trying to save Will.
The solution used to save Will required Shared Leadership theory between all of the main
characters. Shared Leadership was used between the adults and children equally when proof of
the Upside Down was revealed. Mike, Lucas, and Dustin assisted Eleven with the development
of a plan to close the gate. Without the guidance of Hopper, the police officer, Eleven would
have struggled defeating the creatures on her own. Shared Leadership has one objective, to lead
the team to reach the goals of the group (Bienefeld & Grote, 2014). Shared Leadership allowed
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THE LEADER AS A TEAM PLAYER: SHARED LEADERSHIP
the children and the adults to feel ownership. The team was also able to share valuable
information collectively to save Hawkins. The team also spent time discussing each plan to help
Eleven save the world. During the Shared Leadership, not all participants of the team were
satisfied with the results which is a common resolution with the use of this theory. Shared
Leadership theory allowed for team input when developing a plan of action, creativity on how to
save the world, boosted up the children’s self-esteem, and empowered Eleven to use the full
potential of her powers to close the gate.
Shared Leadership is an old theme for individuals who believe the Bible to be truth.
Shared Leadership is established in the Old Testament by the older people of Israel and in Jesus'
establishing of the apostolate. It has been overlooked that our King did not assign one man to be
the leader of His church. God hand-picked twelve men and trained them. Jesus Christ gave the
congregation plurality in leadership. The twelve were described as the first leadership council of
the congregation. The twelve disciples also led and taught the originating Christian community.
The twelve disciples represented togetherness, humility, love and, Shared Leadership theory.
New Insight
After reading a verse in Philippians, specifically in The Message version, I was able to
understand the verse with a different perspective. “Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-
talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead” (Philippians 2:3 MSG).
Philippians 2:3 has influenced the way I viewed Shared Leadership to remind me that we must
always remain humble and seek to lead others towards the ultimate goal; eternity with God.
When placing God first and others second, Shared Leadership strives to push others into success.
Shared Leadership pushes others into success by depending on group members to provide
contributions to the advantage of the business.
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THE LEADER AS A TEAM PLAYER: SHARED LEADERSHIP
Another insight I have come to understand is eldership within the church. Individuals
who lead a church with traditional leadership lack understanding from other wise believers in
Christ who can provide wise counsel to the leader. The elders of a church each bring a quality to
the leadership which can facilitate Shared Leadership. Shared Leadership also reminded me to
think about pastors and how they make decisions for the church not on their own but, with the
help of wise counsel.
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THE LEADER AS A TEAM PLAYER: SHARED LEADERSHIP
References
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Barna, G. (2013).NThe power of team leadership: Achieving success through shared
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THE LEADER AS A TEAM PLAYER: SHARED LEADERSHIP
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