Leading Polycentrically in Mission

By Joseph W. Handley, Jr.

POLYCENTRICISM AND MISSION

As the world struggles with mounting tensions, I am convinced that we need a new approach to leadership. This year in particular, these issues leaped in front of us as a global pandemic hit our world, the economy faltered, and political tensions rose in areas we all thought would be more peaceful. All of these challenges were compounded by a crisis of leadership, facilitating disruptive political engines with the forces of globalism, nationalism, and tribalism driving the world.¹ These concerns compelled me to see if another form of leadership could be helpful to the world in which we lead. And just as my research on this idea came to a close, the world seemed to rupture ever further in 2020 and these early days of 2021.

A Leadership Model for a Polarized World

Polycentric Leadership: a leadership model for a polarized world 

The past thirteen months have been one of the most disruptive seasons in my lifetime. A global pandemic, one of the worst economies of the century, and a divisive political environment were all contributors. We have faced lock downs, loss of incomes and jobs, and the disease itself—as we still do at this time.

Polycentric Leadership: a podcast on my dissertation

A Deep Dive into Polycentric Leadership

I was interviewed recently by Asia Leadership Development Network’s Baolerhu Ligden for their Unleash Podcast series. The interview dove into my doctoral thesis about "Polycentric Leadership," overviewing key attributes of this new approach to leading in our global world...