The path from hierarchical to collaborative and shared leadership runs through rugged terrain. When founders and long-standing leaders relinquish central control of „their“ organisation (voluntarily or involuntarily), the sight of the abandoned executive chair often triggers a desire for a Post-heroic culture Loud. No one should follow in the footsteps of the old central figure, no one should stand on stage as a leader. The ball must not roll back... no power for anyone!

It is easy to lose sight of the fact that self-organisation is not about less leadership, but above all about other– decentralised and dynamic – leadership. If we apply the concept of the hero to a „Showing Up“ If we are to achieve something that transcends the everyday – a willingness to take responsibility with superpowers – then shared leadership needs not fewer, but more heroes. 

Instead of a post-heroic model, a Pan-heroic understanding Be fitting: Everyone is a hero (in their own special way). 

A team that, in this way, superpower collective understands, can promote, utilise and showcase the special strengths and skills of its members.  It can empower those involved to cultivate their superpowers and use them repeatedly – but never permanently – to influence the impulse stage. If this succeeds, power is not neutralised or divided, but is available to the organisation in multiple forms and with a wide variety of faces.

Certainly, pan-heroism also evokes new Issues The smooth transition from situational leadership to situational followership must be learned. Alignment is not a given in a polycentric system. Conflict management also poses particular challenges: where there is room for strong personalities, there is also room for strong friction.   

But what would life be without Learning and stress curvesWhere the post-heroic world can be somewhat sluggish and grey, the pan-heroic world is as colourful as an Avengers film. This can be annoying at times, but it definitely brings passion and movement into play. The hero is gone, long live the heroes!