Paradoxes in agentic and communal leadership

Published in: SAGE Handbook of Leadership, 2nd Edition — March 2023

Written by 

Jennifer L. Sparr, David A. Waldman and Eric Kearney

Summary 

What we found: What is good leadership? There is no simple answer to this question, especially when facing complexity and ongoing change. Based on our analysis of the leadership literature and leadership processes with a paradox lens, we suggest agency and communion as meta-categories of leadership traits, orientations and behaviors that need to be integrated into a “both-and” for leadership effectiveness.

Why it matters: In complex and ever-changing environments, leaders need their followers to be aligned and to show individual initiative to ensure sustainable well-being and performance. Sounds paradoxical? It is. Good news is that leaders will achieve this by being paradoxical themselves, that is by encouraging agency (e.g., providing direction) and by fostering communion (i.e., empowering people).

What next: The joint construction of paradoxes between leaders and followers is an important way how to ensure well-being and performance in organizations.