In The Starfish and the Spider: The Unstoppable Power of Leadership Organizations, authors Ori Brafman and Rod Beckstrom highlight the value of what they call ‘leaderless’ organizations.

Although I don’t endorse leaderless organizations per se, one chapter describes tools that successful non-leader leaders use to catalyze their respective organizations. I’ve listed below some of their insights from this unusual perspective.

Qualities they suggest would apply to any leader.

#1 Genuine interest in others

#2 Loose connections

They don’t limit themselves to a few close friends but have many connections.

#3 Mapping

Catalysts think of who they know, who those people know, how they all relate to one another, and how they fit into a huge mental map.

#4 Desire to help others

#5 Passion

#6 Meet people where they are

There is a difference between passionate and pushy; catalysts rely less on persuasion and more on meeting people where they are.

#7 Emotional intelligence

#8 Trust

#9 Inspiration

Catalysts often inspire others to work toward a goal that often doesn’t involve their own personal gain.

#10 Tolerance for ambiguity

They learn to be OK when they don’t have concrete answers to big questions.

#11 Hands-Off approach

They are less apt to use command and control.

#12 Receding

After they accomplish what they intended, they get out of the way.

The authors also contrast CEOs to Catalysts.

CEOs vs Catalysts:

#1 The boss vs a peer

#2 Command-and-control vs trust

#3 Rational vs Emotionally intelligent

#4 Powerful vs Inspirational

#5 Directive vs Collaborative

#6 In the spotlight vs Behind the scenes

#7 Order vs Ambiguity

#8 Organizing vs Connecting

What do you think about leader-less organizations? Do you think leadership is either one or the other?