🐣 Starting Small: Team-Level Shared Leadership Practices

🐣 Starting Small: Team-Level Shared Leadership Practices

You’ve heard the phrase “shared leadership” and maybe you’re intrigued
 but also thinking:
“Cool concept, but how would that actually work with my team?”

Good news: shared leadership doesn’t have to mean flipping the org chart or throwing out everything you know.


Sometimes it starts with just one simple question:

👉 “What if leadership could be more of a team sport?”

Here are a few easy, light-touch ways to start exploring shared leadership in your day-to-day team life — no cape, title, or grand declarations required.

🔍 1. Ask the Team: Who’s Up for What?

Instead of assuming who leads what, start with curiosity. Try something like:

“Is there anyone here who feels passionate about taking the lead on how we work as a team?”

Why it works: It lets people raise their hands when they’re interested or ready, rather than being voluntold. You might be surprised who steps forward.

đŸ—ș 2. Map the Strengths You Already Have

Take 15 minutes in a team meeting to ask:

“What do you think are your superpowers when it comes to leading?”
“What kind of support helps you feel confident taking the reins?”

Why it works: You’ll spot natural leaders in unexpected places, and start normalising leadership as a shared strength—not a title.

👂 3. Make “Leadership Moments” Part of the Conversation

Instead of making leadership a big, abstract concept, reflect on small leadership moments:

“When did someone really step up this week?”
“Who handled a tricky moment like a champ?”

Why it works: It builds awareness and confidence, and helps the whole team recognise that leadership can look lots of different ways.

☕ 4. Try a ‘Discovery’ Chat (Not a Commitment Ceremony)

Pick one project and ask:

“If we were to experiment with a bit more shared leadership here, what could that look like?”

Why it works: It opens the door gently, without pressure. It signals trust, invites input, and says: “We’re figuring this out together.”

🚩Start Where You Are

This isn’t about going full anarchist commune overnight.
It’s about asking: Where is there already a spark? And how can you gently fan that into something more?

Shared leadership isn’t a big, scary leap — it’s a series of small invitations to co-create, co-lead, and co-own.
And the best part? You don’t have to do it alone (obviously).

💬 Want help figuring out how to test the waters with your team?
That’s literally our jam at JVM Consultancy. Drop us a line or come along to one of our Leadership Connect meetups — no pressure, just curious conversations with fellow humans trying to lead better, together.

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