Closet leader

Closet Leader

A closet leader is a type of leadership that has a social influence from behind a closed door. For instance, a person that encourages another individual to take on a particular project but is working on a similar project secretly, could be considered a closet leader. A simpler example would be a person that influences another person to quit smoking but smokes in solitude, would be a "closet leader." Sure, not smoking would be the healthy choice, but what is this type of leadership when the leader does not assume ownership of their influence.

Theory

The theory is that a closet leader can only have a certain level of prevalence in their leadership if they remain closed to the source of their leadership ideals. Socially influencing an individual without being transparent in the reasons for your influence, is leading from the closet. In order for a closet leader to come out of the closet, one must assume ownership of their influence and publicly divulge the reasons they are passionate about their leadership styles and qualities.

History

This term was derived from a students experience in two courses while attending the Masters in Management Program at Southern Oregon University in the Fall of 2010. The instructors were Josh Sadler & Tom Shelstad, of Experiential Leadership and Development, and John Bowling, of Organizational Leadership and Communication. To learn more about Southern Oregon University and the Master in Management Program please click on the following link [1]. To learn more about Experiential Leadership and Development through Leap Camp, please click on the following link [2].

This wiki creation is the first attempt to create a definition for the term "closet leader." Although this is the first definition inscribed,Rita Farin wrote an article in 2008 in accordance to a closet leader. Rita suggests that she was a closet leader because she liked to take the lead but did not like the spot light, so she gave other people the credit; therefore she is a closet leader. Although this is a good definition, the two sources are different. --Delongme 18:32, 10 December 2010 (EST) Mendy DeLong