Leader as Host:You grew your leadership chops when you hosted your pre-Covid party

What does leadership mean? There are countless books on how to lead. Most of them offer two choices: either you're an autocratic leader or a servant leader. But, I recently heard Mark McKergow share a new model: leader as host.

Mark and his colleague, Helen Bailey, outline this theory in their book, Host. Mark was a guest speaker in an online class I'm taking. I liked what he had to say, and because his theory feels so comfortable, adaptable, and natural I wanted to share it with you. I know that hosting events feels like a distant memory, and most of us are looking forward to hosting friends, neighbors, and family in our homes as soon as possible.

As hosts, we thoughtfully define the event's purpose, who we should invite, decorations, arrangements, refreshments, and the entertainment. When guests arrive we welcome them, make introductions and get people talking with each other about shared interests. Hosts step in to move conversations along, then step back so guests can shine.

Similarly, a good leader steps forward to take control, and then steps back to allow teammates to contribute.

Mark and Helen have identified six roles that both hosts and leaders fill:

• Initiator

• Inviter

• Space-Creator

• Gatekeeper

• Connector

• Co-Participator

Four of these roles seem self-explanatory, but the role of the "space-creator" is less obvious. Mark believes that the host/leader makes sure that the physical environment is safe and conducive for creativity and psychological safety.

A leader in the gatekeeper role establishes boundaries, rules of engagement, and guardrails.

I have shared the leader as host model with clients, and they immediately recognize the similarities between host and leader. This concept feels safe, easy, and natural even for reluctant leaders. 

Take a few minutes and watch Mark's Ted Talk. If you are interested in learning more you can visit his website.