Collaborative Leadership: The Power of One

“Individually, we are ONE drop. Together, we are ONE ocean.”

— Ryunosuke Satoro

This February, AWiB presents “Collaborative Leadership: The Power of One.” The power of one can represent two meanings: one individual whose commitment to fostering collaboration ignites a process that shapes a collective “one,” a unified force that moves toward a shared goal. This is not about a lone hero, but about a leader’s ability to initiate and champion an inclusive culture that honors and amplifies every voice.

Traditional top-down leadership models often rest on the shoulders of a single, authoritative figure, the “hero”, who is expected to carry the weight of every decision. Over time, this approach can quietly narrow perspectives, encourage siloed thinking, and place an unsustainable burden on one individual. Yet the challenges we face as individuals, businesses, communities, and nations are rarely meant to be solved alone. It is in recognizing this truth that collaborative leadership becomes not just relevant, but deeply essential.

Collaborative leadership is an approach that shares authority, decision-making, and responsibility across team members by fostering open communication, trust, and inclusivity. It leverages diverse perspectives to solve complex problems and achieve shared visions.

This leadership style is not new to Ethiopians—it runs through our history as lived wisdom. From the Gadaa system’s shared power, to Adwa’s coordinated victory, to the negotiated alliances of the Zemene Mesafint, and Empress Taytu’s strategic counsel, collaborative leadership has long shaped our successes. Today, this legacy continues in institutions like the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) partnering with the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH) and the Norwegian Agency for Development (NORAD); Addis Ababa University (AAU) through the Toronto Addis Ababa Academic Collaboration (TAAAC); and Amref Health Africa’s High Impact Leadership programs, in collaboration with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health and regional bureaus, training health workers across regions. These institutions demonstrate the power of collaborative leadership in action.

As individuals, we live in one of the most complex times in the modern era, where technology races ahead while polarization widens, pulling us further apart. Too often, our attention settles on what separates us—age, ethnicity, class, gender—rather than on the many truths that bind us. We search for difference, overlooking our shared humanity that connects us all. And so, a quiet, urgent question emerges: how can each of us, one drop in the ocean, become the catalyst that turns many drops into one powerful ocean?

Ultimately, the paradox of The Power of One is that the greatest individual power lies not in singular authority, but in the ability to empower others and leverage collective wisdom. The power begins with believing that each one of us holds this capacity and that it is a matter of choice and action.

• How do we reconcile the idea that leadership power grows when it is shared, especially in systems that still reward control and individual authority?
• Ethiopia’s history offers deep examples of negotiated power and collective action. How might reconnecting with these indigenous leadership traditions help us address today’s complex challenges without defaulting to imported models?
• How can leaders create spaces where disagreement becomes a source of insight rather than division, particularly in polarized environments?
• What is one small, intentional shift we, as individuals can make to lead more collaboratively in our workplaces, communities, or homes? Especially in places where systems are hierarchical or resistant to change.

Share with your Circle!