LEADERSHIP WITHOUT HIERARCHY AND AUTHORITY: LATERAL LEADERSHIP

Abstract

Conventional leadership styles require hierarchical processes primarily characterized by the exertion of power. However, recent studies have indicated that lateral leadership, which substitutes a subordinating approach with insight, collaboration, coordination, and creativity with all stakeholders and especially with employees, can also achieve organizational goals. In this article, lateral leadership and thought system is discussed. Based on lateral thinking, it seeks contributions from all employees to make business more effective through creativity, innovation, and collaborative methods to meet the challenge of a globalized world. The basic mechanisms of lateral leadership are creating common understandings, changing power games, creating an atmosphere of trust, and eliminating hierarchical authority. In this context, the main findings of this article prepared within the framework of narrative review methodology; lateral leadership is a fairly new approach that is suited to changing working environments, leadership characteristics, organizational structures, and followers’ qualifications. This leadership style is most appropriate for group studies, ad hoc meetings, or lateral-networking structures in organizations in which conventional leadership is ineffective or dysfunctional.