ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the characteristics of a ‘good leader’ are explored. Questions about ‘good leadership’ mostly position the leader in the reflections outside the group. This chapter makes the distinction between different styles of leadership. These research-based styles are contrasted with a philosophical approach to leadership, including in this approach employees’ expectations and perceptions of leadership. From this emerges the insight that leadership includes being led, in a flexible balance – on a personal level as well as on a group level. The concept of ‘provocative guidance’ is introduced. With this concept we point to a leadership style that evokes colleagues’ moral and spiritual positionality regarding the situation they have to face. To cross boundaries of comfort zones (‘this is how we always did it’) and establish flexible, temporary new ones (‘this is how we might do it this time’), narrative moral consultations (NMC) are required, resulting in ‘moresprudence’ – the group’s point of reference and orientation in future moral dilemmas they have to face.
