The Leadership Triad: A Relational Model

Abstract

Eric Berne introduced some specific ideas about leadership of groups and organizations into the field of transactional analysis. The author outlines Eric Berne’s three kinds or types of leadership as part of the group authority. This concept is subsequently linked to anthropological research, resulting in an archetype interpretation of the three kinds of leadership. On that basis, the author introduces the leadership triad as a relational model of leadership, consisting of representative, executive, and transformative leadership. The foundation of this model is a systemic interpretation with all three functions as a dynamic equilibrium or homeostatic process of cocreating cohesion. The model suggests that leadership is a cocreated, resonant group process with the whole team sharing – and not only a leader having – responsibility for the successful development of the team or the organization. Finally, implications of leadership imbalance are conceptualized and illustrated by case examples.

Keywords:

• Leadership
• followership
• group authority
• group dynamics
• cohesion
• representative leadership
• executive leadership
• transformative leadership
• transactional analysis

Disclosure Statement

The author declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.

Additional information

Funding

The author received no financial support for the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.

Notes on contributors

Michael Korpiun

Michael Korpiun is an economist (Dr. rer. pol., Dipl.-Oec.), organizational development consultant, Teaching and Supervising Transactional Analyst (organizational), Master Coach (EASC), Supervisor (EASC), Trainer (EASC), author, and the editor of In Relation Publications for personal, team, and organizational development. He is also the cofounder and managing partner of In Stability, a relational organizational consultancy and academy based in Hanover (Germany). Prior to that, Michael was a senior executive in the automotive industry, an empirical researcher with Procter & Gamble, and a scientific lecturer at Leibniz University, Hanover. He can be reached at In Stability GmbH & Co. KG, Osterstr. 42, D-30159 Hannover, Germany; email: [email protected]; www.in-stability.de.