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Collective in Practice

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collective leadership

Collective Leadership involves uniting people to address complex issues through collaborative processes. Success is maximized by working collectively across diverse groups, emphasizing equity, and incorporating the voices of those most affected. Effective collective leaders prioritize trust-building, power navigation, deep engagement, and the development of impactful collaborative governance practices.

Collective Impact course

Online Course

foundations of collective impact

This course will introduce you to the key elements of the Collective Impact Framework. Over the course’s six, self-directed, modules you will be guided to assess and build readiness for Collective Impact within your community; and create an action plan to mobilize the multisector input and commitment needed to develop, implement, and sustain a successful Collective Impact Initiative.  

Register for the Online Course
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Resource Series

Collaborative Leadership and Governance Series

This collection of articles and papers will help inform both the process and people aspects of effective collaboration, and provide you with a wide range of practical ideas and resources for pushing your own work forward.

View this Resource Library

The traditional concept of leadership is that of the heroic leader – they have a vision, they assert it, they persuade us, and they gain followers. Collective leadership turns that concept upside down.

 

getting started

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Making Sense of the Multiple Faces of Leadership

Navigating change

Leadership for Navigating Uncertainty

Sustainability

Sustainability and Resilience Resource Series

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Building an Accountability Matrix to Guide Your Collaboration
 

Daren Okafo

meet the director

Daren Okafo is the Consulting Director of Collective Leadership at The Tamarack Institute Learning Centre, leveraging over 25 years of experience in community-based development in Canada, Europe and Africa. He's passionate about how communities envision and co-create just and equitable futures together, and the ways in which leaders come together to learn and grow. 

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Current Themes Being Explored: 
 

  • Collective Leadership
  • Collective Governance
  • Building Your Adaptive Leadership Capacity
  • Navigating in a Post-Pandemic World
  • The Human Side of Collective Leadership: Exploring Power, Courage and Love

Transforming Skills and Knowledge for Belonging: Introducing the 2025 Circle of Actions Cohort
Transforming Skills and Knowledge for Belonging: Introducing the 2025 Circle of Actions Cohort
People sitting in the park with a dog
Belonging Beyond Borders: Building Bridges on Refugee Rights Day
A group of changemakers smile and talk
Igniting Hope and Action in Place: Reflections from Tamarack's Network
Several people observe information tables at an entrepreneur fair
Aligning in Place: Connecting Entrepreneurs and Local Collaboratives
Two people having a friendly conversation
Building Belonging Through Linguistic Justice
People smiling around a planter on a rooftop garden
Learnings and Reflections from a Webinar Series on Overcoming Challenges to Local Climate Action
People smiling surrounded by nature
Introducing the 2025 Adaptive and Resilient Communities Cohort
Many people putting their hands together
Belonging Is a Verb: Reflections on a Journey of Learning and Action
Renewing Our Commitment to Shaping a Future That Celebrates Belonging
Renewing Our Commitment to Shaping a Future That Celebrates Belonging
The Town of New Glasgow Activates Its Social Role in Climate Action
The Town of New Glasgow Activates Its Social Role in Climate Action
People canvassing for the climate
The Six Projects Receiving Community Climate Transitions Innovation Fund Grants in 2024
ARTICLE | Building Strong Brains in Elkhart County, Indiana
ARTICLE | Building Strong Brains in Elkhart County, Indiana
A candid shot of Tamarack Co-CEO Liz Weaver during a communities building youth futures event
A Farewell Letter from Liz Weaver
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Renewing Our Commitment to Reducing Poverty
ARTICLE | Collaboration Lab: Investing in Leaders in Danville, Virginia
ARTICLE | Collaboration Lab: Investing in Leaders in Danville, Virginia
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Canadian Cities Leading on Climate Action – 2024 Edition
Two male presenting people gardening together
ARTICLE | Community-Driven, Place-Based Change
How to Combat Loneliness and Isolation
Communities Building Youth Futures Community Stories
Communities Building Youth Futures Community Stories
Twenty Resources for Social Change Leaders
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The collective leadership premise is:

"If you bring the appropriate people together as peers, in constructive ways with good context and content information, they will create authentic visions and strategies for addressing the shared concerns of the organization and community."

David Chrislip and The Collaborative Leadership Fieldbook

Each component of the premise is important:

  • You must bring the appropriate people together as peers – the collaboration must be broadly inclusive
  • You must bring people together in constructive ways – design the process so that it can deal with different understandings of the issues, varying degrees of trust, and so that the process encourages people to work together
  • Good context and content information is critical to good decision-making – Involve citizens, specialists and field practitioners alike to co-create solutions

get in touch

We’re happy to answer questions, discuss community issues and direct you to trusted resources. Get in touch with a specific team member or submit a general inquiry.

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