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The Concept of Supported and Supporting Lead

Peter Docker

To deliver a project successfully it often calls on people to contribute in different ways at different times. It can also mean that colleagues at an equivalent level in an organization are working together to achieve the outcome. This can sometimes cause friction or inefficiencies if there isn't a clear understanding of who is in the lead at any one time.


The concept of Supported and Supporting Leads, or Leaders, can help us.


Supported Lead: this is the single person who is accountable for delivery of the output and has permission to call on resources or the support from others to achieve the aim of the project. The extent of this permission will always be clearly defined and mutually agreed at the start of the project and will likely include being able to request people's time, budgetary support, or expertise. The Supported Lead would typically have permission to ask for support from their peers or those who are senior or junior to them in the organization, as defined by the agreement reached when the project is first set-up.


Supporting Lead(s): those in a Supporting Lead role – and there may be several – still take responsibility for the outcome of the project. The way they do this is through giving their support / resources to the Supported Lead so everyone can achieve the desired result. 


Different Phases, Different Supported Leads


During different phases of a complex project, the Supported / Supporting Leads can change. So, for example, a major event or product launch might have a Concept & Design Phase with the Supported Lead being the person who has skills in this area. As the project moves to the Implementation and Delivery Phase, the Supported Lead could switch and be taken on by someone with particular expertise in that area. The previous Supported Lead would then take on a Supporting Lead role. 


What's important is to be clear on the handover between different Supported Leads. When this approach is properly set-up, accountability at each stage is made clear, while everyone involved chooses to take responsibility for the success of the project.


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