Diagnosing challenges or what is going wrong
TYPE: GUIDED EXERCISE
Co-leadership as a model can be over-romanticised. Even with the best intentions and with a strong relationship between co-leads, there can be external factors that make things challenging. In some situations, things just do not work out. In addition to the conflict resolution exercise, this activity can support co-leads to recognise and navigate unforeseen tensions that arise in their relationship.
Common things that can go wrong
Lack of clarity in work distribution, that can result in one person feeling like they are doing more work than the other, or as if they are not clear on what they are leading.
Disparate compensation perhaps due to different negotiation processes if co-leads are hired separately, and/or lack of transparency around the organisation's compensation policies and salary scales.
Changing personal goals and priorities including growth or development in different directions.
Competing priorities - both personal and professional, for example managing vacation time, parental leave, or travel
Power play from board members or staff that drives rifts or causes tension between co-leads
Relationship fatigue.
Clashing personalities or ways of working with limited space available to agree through ways of working.
Distrust between co-leads, often as a result of gatekeeping information from each other, not sharing accountability or responsibility equitably, or competition with each other.
Lack of self reflection by one or more co-leads.
Diagnosing the problem
If something does not feel right, or there is ongoing or repeated tension, reflect on these questions individually or, if appropriate, with your co-lead(s)
What is the problem really about?
How is it a problem? What makes it so and how does the problem play out? What are the elements of the problem?
You may find that by reflecting on these questions alone, together or with your coach, solutions emerge.
Who is involved?
What elements of the situation are you able and willing to change?
What are the external constraints that are out of your control?
What matters most to you? What matters most to those involved?
Will the conflict resolution process work to resolve this or is the source of tension external to your relationship with my co-lead(s)?
Some ways to respond
WHEN A CO-LEADERSHIP RELATIONSHIP IS NOT WORKING:
Self-reflect
Take time for yourself to be truly aware of yourself, your ego. Go back to the activity on ‘Navigating conflict’ and reflect on the self-awareness activity again.
Consider if co-leadership really is right for you.
It is not for everyone, and though you may want to believe it is the ‘right’ kind of leadership, sometimes it just doesn’t work for you. Conversely, it may be multiple contextual factors that mean it is not working for you at this moment in time.
Accept if it is not going to work out. What could different outcomes be?
How would you feel about each? How can you move through the conflict resolution process with love and care?
Create space for honest discussion, with a mediator if needed
Be gentle with yourself and each other
