Covert Leadership - Explained
What is Covert Leadership?
Written by J. Mance Gordon
Updated at April 22nd, 2024
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What is Covert Leadership?
Covert Leadership, proposed by Henry Mintzberg, is an explanation of how modern leaders may lead an organization without being at the center of attention or fully recognized as undertaking leadership.
In doing so, the cover leader doesn't seek absolute control over others; rather, through many unobtrusive actions, they inspire others to perform and use their talents.
Mintzberg uses the conductor of an orchestra as a example of covert or non-apparent leadership.
Covert leadership is effective when professionals don't need to be empowered--they're already secure in what they know and can do--but they do need to be infused with energy for the tasks at hand. This means managing with a sense of nuances, constraints, and limitations.