How does the Web shape the role and understanding of leadership? Is a new leadership paradigm emerging? What mindsets, skills, and knowledge are necessary for it? What are key challenges and opportunities, pioneer examples and patterns in the business, public and non-profit sector?
A new leadership paradigm seems to be emerging with an inexorable shift away from one-way, hierarchical, organization-centric communication toward two-way, network-centric, participatory, and collaborative leadership styles. Most of all, a new mindset seems necessary, apart from new skills and knowledge. All the tools in the world will not change anything if the mindset does not allow and support change.
This study aims to enable leaders to anticipate and leverage emerging possibilities in the context of the evolving Web. By providing and analyzing a broad overview of practical examples it aims to encourage leadership to take new paths as much as highlight pioneer work. Short examples and longer cases from Germany, Europe, the U.S., and abroad are given, covering all sectors─private, public, non-profit and a fourth ―commons‖ sector.