Co-Leadership

In co-leadership, two people share one managerial job’s tasks and responsibilities in “tandem.”

The world of work is far from overcoming the major challenges it has faced in recent years. Digitalization, globalization, and a shortage of skilled workers and managers are forcing companies to develop new work and management models that must allow for more flexibility. 

One promising approach is letting people work in tandem. This tactic, which is no longer completely new but is still uncommon, simply means that two people work together in one job. The mechanics of their collaboration can vary:

• Job sharing — Several people share a job previously held by one person. This does not necessarily have to be a management position. The only defining factor is that at least two people share responsibility for a task, project, or role.
• Co-leadership — Again, two or more people fill a single position, but – in contrast to job sharing – this explicitly involves joint management responsibility. With a few minor differences, co-leadership is also called “top sharing” or “dual leadership.”