A Guide to Horizontal Leadership: Definition, Examples

by

The radical shift from medicated and vertical influence to a horizontal leadership model is the norm in the leadership world. It has replaced the old control and command model, where horizontal Leadership encourages the free sharing of information.

Even large companies have gone on to adopt this leadership model, and it is here to stay, which is a good thing. Embracing this leadership model will empower more people and accomplish your organization’s mission.

What Is Horizontal Leadership?

The concept of horizontal Leadership has replaced the vertical leadership model in many organizations.

But why? Horizontal Leadership is a leadership style where control and command structures have been abandoned, and a flat organizational structure has been adopted.

It is a form of Leadership dependent on reciprocity and trust rather than the structural corporate hierarchy. There is bound to be mutual trust among all the members as its values, teamwork, shared goals, and decision-making.

Why Are Organizations Moving Towards Horizontal Leadership Models?

In simple terms, the vertical leadership model provides less scope for innovation. When initiatives are dedicated solely from the top down without a degree of investment, employees work on them. Their mission is to do, not necessarily to think.

At the base level, vertical Leadership makes employees productive as tasks are given to them, and they complete them.

Do you intend to lead the horizontal way?

Most companies in modern times are horizontally integrated, as most of them are shifting away from traditional leadership models.

This leadership model is not focused on hierarchy, titles, or personal status, as the focus is on collaboration, activities, or movement around the company’s shared vision.

These leaders are purpose-driven, as they are known to align with the mission of the organization. They are also known to infuse organizations with a degree of purpose. Horizontal Leadership sets up a model and the behaviors that it wants an organization to emulate.

The Benefits Of Horizontal Leadership

Horizontal Leadership is not just a way to approach organizational culture. Leaders are choosing this leadership model due to the enormous benefits it offers.

Camaraderie and trust

Trust is the cornerstone for a horizontal leadership model to be successful, as one cannot exist without the other. You need to trust your employees and give them more autonomy. They may feel uncomfortable initially, but it means they can rally behind you and the organization.

Strong relationships

The side effect of building trust is teamwork and strong relationships, which eliminate temporary conflicts and disagreements.

Faster reaction times

In an organization with a horizontal business structure, the entire business unit is aware of any developments. This would allow the team members to quickly dedicate resources and develop effective strategies for dealing with this situation.

Hard-working, passionately driven employees

If the employees have skills, they are likely to be passionate about the game. Horizontal Leadership invites everyone to be part of the success game. On the other hand, the followers in vertical Leadership are only interested in the paycheck leadership and invite everyone to be part of the success game.

On the other hand, the followers in vertical Leadership are only interested in the paycheck. With horizontal Leadership, the team members work towards achieving a personal goal or mission.

Creativity and innovation

Relying on the C-suite’s innovation would limit a company’s potential. The employees are also creative and will have ideas that may not be considered, as there is power in numbers. The more creative aspect would be the profitability of the company.

How Do You Manage Things Horizontally?

Business leaders could manage things horizontally in the following ways:

  • Provide autonomy: provide autonomy to the team members in approaching work as they deem fit. You need to trust their strategy and accept risks.
  • Taking feedback mechanisms into account, ensure you encourage a healthy feedback loop. It should be a two-way process, providing an ideal employee platform to share their thoughts.
  • The team members are encouraged to think innovatively and to question and challenge the status quo. This makes exploring the possibility of starting new things and sparking innovation possible. Thinking creatively enables you to manage your team, and the organization tends to become more agile.
  • Offering leadership opportunities: provide opportunities for the team members to lead meetings or projects. This allows individuals to step out of their comfort zone and drive critical decisions.

Importance And Utility Of Horizontal Leadership

It is beneficial to have horizontal Leadership. It has elements that have a positive, horizontal influence on people. The horizontal model has drastically replaced the vertical impact.

The horizontal peer-to-peer leadership style has taken the place of command and control leadership.

The vast, expansive businesses have adopted the horizontal approach once more. They used a horizontal and flat model to move things successfully to the next stage.

Flow of information

As a result of its primary instrument being communication, horizontal Leadership is beneficial. When this is the case, information is transferred properly from one person to another.

The teams engage well with one another, and coordination is at its best degree. As a result, everyone is kept informed, which aids in the company’s overall growth.

Trust and Positioning

The hierarchical paradigm of horizontal Leadership can sway individuals through skillful placement. Here, effective trust-building allows one person to influence another.

Reliance should exist since it will foster mutual trust among employees and propel the business forward.

This is how the legacy is carried forwards with all the horizontal power and reliance on offer at best.

The Relationship Factor

Effective relationships are the foundation of horizontal Leadership. It is the kind of close relationship that may guide the business to complete success and cooperation.

Building relationships work like a web; in this situation, influence will travel in all ways. The company will undoubtedly endure when there is a strong sense of camaraderie among the staff.

Without the Followers

There are devoted followers in the vertical leadership structure, which resembles a chain. In terms of horizontal Leadership, it is not the case. They are all in a straight line, and the connection is strong. Since data is transmitted from one location to another on a similar level, the company’s organizational structure remains clear and in control.

Reciprocal Leadership Effect

Influence in horizontal leadership matters is usually reciprocal. It flows from both ends and has a beneficial effect. If the connection is strong, there are people online who can affect one another consistently. There is no gap, and everything is completely in control.

The agility of the Leadership

Organizational agility is the key to horizontal Leadership. Everyone participates in the decision-making process here, and no one individual completes the formalities.

There is no tyranny or enslavement, and everyone is working to make decisions based on mutual understanding from a position of equality. Decisions are made and processed more quickly than previously during the process.

Dependable Horizontal Teams

The team’s cohesiveness and strength are key factors in horizontal Leadership. Everyone on this team is equally strong.

They have horizontal talent and will influence events constructively and with difficulty. The team members maintain the horizontal structure’s strength and functionality with equal influence. This is how the firm convinces people of its influence on all sides.

The team’s collaborative accountability is extremely effective, and the company’s performance remains accountable from all angles while keeping the horizontal leadership style and elements.

Conclusion

Horizontal Leadership is not a one-day module in the business world. Their focus is to encourage collaboration, strengthen employee engagement, and, via silos, seamlessly pass information. In the connected world, it does not make sense to follow vertical structures anymore.

Considering a horizontal leadership model, consider what needs to be in place at an internal level to make improvements.

There is bound to be a shift of values, and software has an important role to play in it. Horizontal Leadership is not merely a leadership model; it is a concept to put into practice, as you need to make it part of your business operations.

FAQs

What is horizontal leadership?

Horizontal leadership is a leadership style that emphasizes collaboration, teamwork, and shared decision-making rather than traditional top-down hierarchies.

How does horizontal leadership differ from traditional leadership?

A hierarchical structure with clear lines of authority and decision-making power often characterizes traditional leadership.

Horizontal leadership, on the other hand, emphasizes collaboration and shared decision-making and often involves flatter organizational structures.

What are the benefits of horizontal leadership?

The benefits of horizontal leadership include improved collaboration and communication, greater employee empowerment, increased innovation and creativity, and higher job satisfaction and engagement levels.

What are some key skills for horizontal leaders?

Some key skills for horizontal leaders include active listening, effective communication, problem-solving, conflict resolution, and facilitating and coordinating teamwork.

How can organizations implement horizontal leadership?

Organizations can implement horizontal leadership by flattening hierarchies, creating cross-functional teams, and promoting collaboration and shared decision-making.

Training and development programs can also be used to develop the necessary skills and mindset among employees and leaders.

What are some challenges of implementing horizontal leadership?

Some challenges of implementing horizontal leadership include resistance to change from employees and leaders who are used to traditional hierarchical structures, difficulty in coordinating and aligning teams without clear lines of authority, and the need for more effective communication and conflict resolution skills.

What is the role of the leader in horizontal leadership?

The role of the leader in horizontal leadership is to facilitate collaboration and shared decision-making among team members, provide guidance and support, and help create a culture of trust, transparency, and accountability.

More To Explore:

Was this article helpful?