Randolf regularly speaks and writes about shared leadership—in workshops, seminars, and his column at Haufe. He is repeatedly asked the same question: Isn’t shared leadership just shared work?
Of course, leadership is also work. It includes tasks such as planning budgets, developing strategies, deciding on technical issues, and supporting employees. And these tasks can be delegated or distributed, depending on the context. External experts or experienced employees often take on leadership roles without formally being managers. In such cases, leadership is distributed in terms of responsibility.
However, in hierarchical systems, responsibility usually remains with the official manager – at least in legal and disciplinary terms.
The difference to work
Work is service to a task – you are responsible for your own actions.
Leadership is service to a group – and means responsibility for joint action.
Those who lead not only shape processes, but also influence people, provide guidance, moderate conflicts, and make decisions when in doubt. Leadership means taking responsibility – not only for your own performance, but for the success of the team.
Randolf’s answer: No – and with good reason
“Sharing leadership means sharing responsibility—not just distributing tasks.”
Anyone who takes shared leadership seriously recognizes that it is not about dividing up work like a piece of cake. Rather, it is about taking responsibility together, shaping influence, and living leadership as a collective process.
If you would like to delve deeper into the subject, you will find detailed explanations and further articles at this link (german only).
