How do you foster a more participatory approach among your team?
In conversation with organizational leaders, I’ve heard a shared concern: they want their teams to embody a core leadership value, but they struggle to name exactly what that value is.
What they can name is its opposite–a tendency to dominate conversations with lectures or advice—leaving little room for dialogue and reflection. This behavior is particularly pronounced in times of urgency or crisis.
These leaders know that there is a better way–an approach that’s not only more equitable but also more effective.
That’s why I’ve gathered quotes from thinkers who have something to say about the importance of participation. While my interest in this subject began with training and education, I’ve been surprised to see this principle reflected in discussions on supervision and management, organizing and coalition building, and organizational development and change leadership.
If you are interested in encouraging a participatory approach among your team, here’s a simple activity you can try:
- Share the list of quotes below.
- Ask, “Which quote resonates with you and why?”
- Reflect back what you hear.
- Share one that resonates with you and why.
I hope this helps you and your team build a stronger, more equitable foundation for the critical work ahead.
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“I have always thought that what is needed is the development of people who are interested not in being leaders as much as in developing leadership in others.”
– Ella Baker
“Leaders who do not act dialogically, but insist on imposing their decisions, do not organize the people–they manipulate them. They do not liberate, nor are they liberated: they oppress.”
– Paulo Freire
“Healthy adults desire to be subjects or decision makers and resist being treated as objects, something that can be used by someone else.”
– Dr. Jane Vella
“The rarest leadership skill is not being a good talker. It’s being a good listener. 144 studies, 155k people: Good listeners have deeper bonds & better results. They give respect & gain insight. Great leaders are devoted learners. A key to learning is to listen more than you talk.”
– Adam Grant
“Education is not what comes out of the teacher’s mouth, it’s what happens to the other person.”
– Myles Horton
“Listening (the first competence of leadership) is not a skill, it is a discipline.”
– Peter Drucker
“As a classroom community, our capacity to generate excitement is deeply affected by our interest in one another, in hearing one another’s voices, in recognizing one another’s presence.”
– bell hooks
“The task of leadership is to be intentional about the way we group people and the questions that we engage them in.”
– Peter Block
“Tell me and I forget, show me and I may remember, involve me and I understand.”
– Xunzi
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What quotes or resources would you add? Always looking to expand the list.
