Collective leadership is still an emerging field, so there is not one common definition. It is about embracing and marshaling human, cultural, and technological resources in ways that enable local people to work together to improve their communities for the collective well being.

Collective leadership becomes possible when the members of a group, motivated by a common purpose, begin to build relationships with each other that are genuinely respectful enough to allow them to co-construct their shared purpose and work. This is about expanding from solo perspective of “I” to include the “We.”

In our network of those interested in advancing collective leadership, we have gathered the following working definitions.

Collective leadership is …

• ...relationship in action that advances justice by trusting shared wisdom and liberating individual gifts. -CEL Staff
  
• When people connect to mobilize collective wisdom and spirit into collective action. – Dale Nienow
• The collective soul in action. – Michael Lindfield
• A practice that develops the conditions that allow a group of committed individuals to co-construct solutions to challenging issues from a place of learning rather than from having predetermined answers. The conditions include:
• Creating gracious space.
  
• Recognizing our connection and interdependence.
• Tapping into multiple perspectives and different ways of knowing.
• Opening to the spirit that encourages people to be at their best.
• Identifying and living into values of the individuals and the group. – Karma Ruder

• The result of a dynamic process that brings together a diverse community of people around a set of pressing issues in an effort to build broad-based knowledge and participation that leads to constructive change. – Maenette Benham
• People, power and place. – Montana Kellogg Leadership for Community Change Fellowship
• The capacity of a group of leaders to deliver a contribution in service of the common good through assuming joint and flexible leadership, according to what is perceived and required. – Petra Kunkel
• Co-leadership that embraces the diversity of people and perspectives and frees up self-initiative and collective intelligence. When practiced across sectors, it creates the conditions for societal learning and innovation through an increased sense of interdependence and a deeper trust in self-organization.   - Alain Gauthier