ABSTRACT
Hacking is a cultural phenomenon, not just a set of practices. All over the world, people are gathering in teams and learning about this phenomenon, exploring ideas in agile environments. The kind of leadership required to get an early-stage startup off the ground is radically different from that required in a traditional business environment. This chapter describes the six core elements of hacker paradigm leadership, taking its lead from some of the most dynamic startup companies and inspired innovation theorists working today. All six elements are required to lead self-organizing teams in agile development, lean business modelling and collaborative design contexts. These elements build one upon the other to comprise a coherent leadership system. Hacker paradigm leaders: trust in people, lead with purpose, cultivate a tribal mindset, are 'Chief experimenters', create user value, and make space for innovation.
