Guide · Practice
Updated: 24 July 2026
Does shared leadership work outside conference slides? Four examples following the same pattern – starting point, model, course, learning. Including a case that didn’t work.
Why examples help more than theory
Anyone considering shared leadership wants to see it holds in daily life. So here are four cases following the same four steps – comparable and honest, including a failure. Anonymised cases are marked as such.
The cases below are either anonymised (details changed) or marked as PLACEHOLDER until verifiable material is available. No invented companies, no invented figures.
Example 1: Dual leadership in a mid-sized firm
⚠ PLACEHOLDER: obtain case example from the client (anonymised, clear release). Structure: starting point → chosen model → course → transferable learning.
Example 2: A founder duo
⚠ PLACEHOLDER: obtain case example from the client (anonymised, clear release). Structure: starting point → chosen model → course → transferable learning.
Example 3: Top-sharing a leadership position
⚠ PLACEHOLDER: obtain case example from the client (anonymised, clear release). Structure: starting point → chosen model → course → transferable learning.
Example 4: A case that didn’t work
⚠ PLACEHOLDER: obtain case example from the client (anonymised, clear release). Structure: starting point → chosen model → course → transferable learning.
The fourth example is deliberately the failure: an honestly told case that didn’t work is more credible than three success stories – and shows what it usually comes down to: an unclear final decision.
What the working cases share
- They clarified roles and decision rules before the start, not after.
- They brought the team along early.
- They organised handovers and availability instead of leaving them to chance.
- They addressed friction early instead of letting it grow.
Frequently asked questions
Are there studies on shared leadership?
Yes, leadership research has studied shared leadership for years. For practice, what matters most is whether the structure in your own house is right.
Does shared leadership work in large companies?
Yes, often with more backing because structures and HR processes exist. Role clarification stays decisive.
What’s the most common learning from failed cases?
Almost always: the final decision was never arranged. The conflict didn’t come from the relationship but from the gap in the structure.
Can I get an example from my industry?
In the intro call I’m happy to go into your concrete situation.
Amrit Rescheneder
Amrit Rescheneder helps organisations and leadership tandems build shared leadership that works. She led in a job-sharing model herself for years – after 15 years of leadership responsibility in banking. She knows shared leadership from practice, not from textbooks.