Embodied inter-practices of leadership – Phenomenological perspectives on relational and responsive leading and following

Abstract

This paper offers phenomenological perspectives on leadership as an embodied material and relational practice. Based on Merleau-Ponty’s understanding of embodiment and practice, leadership is interpreted as an emergent process of the inter-practice of leading and following. For showing the enactment of this embodied inter-practicing as a creative one, improvisation is explored as an exemplary media. Finally, some practical, political, theoretical and methodological implications and perspectives on embodied inter-practices of leadership will be outlined.