At the same time, distributed leadership poses a host of challenges that must be overcome. "Subsidiaries," "factions" or "chapters" in different states or countries can work at cross-purposes with one another, create confusion about mission that can frustrate or drive away members and/or potential enlistees, duplicate efforts and suffer from lack of scale (in fundraising, for instance).

If you're Wikipedia and trying to provide free information to people, these liabilities are one thing and may not be fatal. It's quite another to be aspiring to revolutionize politics (Tea Party) or overthrow a secular, Western democratic model of governing (al-Qaeda). I like Wikipedia's chances much more.

Ah yes, Wikipedia. Isn't that where the leadership might issue a very serious warning to a long-time contributor who had the nerve to adorn the "creampie" image with smiley-faced bed linens? Yes, that is the place:

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=...oldid=385997878

If that's progress thanks to distributed leadership, where might I book a one-way ticket to Borneo?

Posted by: thekohser | September 21, 2010 10:56 PM