As our Pixar example illustrates, everyone involved in the creation of a film—directors, scriptwriters, visual artists, and actors—plays an important role in its success (or failure). In addition to their specific task roles, members are also committed to the group’s mission: producing a film that will entertain audiences and bring in money for the company as a whole. So when an Inside Out team member believed a sketch of Joy looked too much like Tinker Bell, that team member felt a responsibility to speak up. When group members behave in this way, it is known as shared leadership; members influence one another’s work, and they each feel a sense of ownership about their contributions and the group’s goals. To encourage a sense of shared leadership, the formal leader of a small group should communicate in ways that help members accomplish their tasks, maintain strong interpersonal bonds, and encourage all members to engage in honest (but respectful) dialogue. Chapter 12 explores the concept of shared leadership in more detail.
