In today’s world of constant disruption, traditional leadership models are crumbling. The old playbook of command-and-control leadership, built on rigid hierarchies and efficiency through repetition, is no longer sufficient.

New models of leadership are emerging to assure success in a volatile, continuously disrupted, and uncertain world. In such an environment, making sure that decisions are made at the most local level—with an ear to the ground and at lightning speed—becomes the difference between monetizing on a disruption or being crushed by it.

One of these new leadership models is what I call “Swarming Leadership.”

Swarming Leadership is a term I coined to describe the new way of working where people from different functions, departments, generations, and cognitive backgrounds “swarm” a problem, tackle it with diverse perspectives, and then disperse to address the next challenge.

This approach isn’t about micromanaging or rigid hierarchies. Instead, it’s about distributed leadership, leveraging cognitive diversity, and enabling cross-functional collaboration at unprecedented speeds. Swarming leadership thrives in environments where agility and innovation are key, ensuring organizations can respond to problems faster and more effectively than any top-down approach ever could.

For leaders, this means fostering a culture of trust, open communication, and dynamic role adaptation. In 2025, the most successful organizations will look less like machines and more like living organisms.

I first introduced the concept of Swarming Leadership in my article, “The New Corporate Playbook: 5 Trends Changing The Rules Of The Game In 2025." The article received massive views and sparked a flood of follow-up questions across all social media platforms.

Readers wanted to see more specific examples of how swarming leadership works in the real world.

So here they are.

1. Huawei: Collective Ownership and Swarming Innovation

During my recent visit to Huawei in Shanghai, I witnessed firsthand how this Chinese tech giant is redefining leadership. Out of 207,000 employees, a staggering 151,000 are co-owners of the company. This unique ownership structure enables them to “swarm” problems collectively, bringing together diverse perspectives to find innovative solutions at record speed.

After what Reuters called “the devastation of trade sanctions on its smartphones business,” Huawei leveraged its swarming approach to pivot rapidly into new markets, including smart car technology - or the development of smart mining solutions. This ability to reinvent itself wouldn’t have been possible without swarming leadership.

By empowering employees as co-owners and fostering a culture of collaboration, Huawei leveraged the collective intelligence of its workforce to seize new opportunities. It’s a powerful example of how swarming leadership enables rapid reinvention, even amidst significant disruption.

2. Lego Ideas: Swarming Customer Intelligence

Lego has mastered the art of swarming leadership by turning to an unexpected source of innovation—its customers. Through the Lego Ideas Platform, fans from around the world can submit their own designs and vote on others. If a design receives 10,000 votes, it has the potential to be produced as an official Lego set.

This initiative does more than just crowdsource creativity. It gives customers a sense of ownership in the brand, transforming them from passive buyers into active co-creators. Products developed through Lego Ideas consistently rank among the company’s bestsellers, with some generating 30% higher sales than traditional sets.

The Lego Ideas Platform showcases how swarming leadership can extend beyond internal teams, leveraging the power of community-driven innovation to maintain a competitive edge.

3. The Boston Marathon Bombing Response: Swarming in Crisis Management

The 2013 Boston Marathon bombing showcased swarming leadership in one of the most challenging contexts—crisis management. Multiple agencies, including local police, federal authorities, and emergency medical teams, coordinated their efforts without a singular command structure. Instead, they relied on shared principles, real-time communication, and a collective mission to swarm the problem collaboratively.

This decentralized approach enabled rapid information sharing, collective decision-making, and an effective crisis response. Within days, the suspects were identified and apprehended, demonstrating the power of swarming leadership to respond to complex, high-stakes challenges.

This case is a powerful example of how swarming leadership leverages cognitive diversity and real-time collaboration to solve problems no organization could handle alone.

Why Swarming Leadership Matters More Than Ever

As organizations navigate 2025’s unprecedented complexity and volatility, the old playbook of command-and-control leadership is no longer sufficient. Swarming leadership offers a dynamic alternative, enabling teams to self-organize, tackle complex challenges collectively, and disperse once the problem is solved.

This model isn’t just about speed—it’s about leveraging cognitive diversity to fuel innovation and adaptability. By breaking down silos and flattening hierarchies, swarming leadership empowers teams to bring their unique perspectives and strengths to the table.

For leaders, the implications are profound. It requires a shift from managing people to enabling collaboration. It demands a culture that fosters trust, psychological safety, and open communication. And it challenges traditional power dynamics, requiring leaders to act as facilitators rather than dictators.

Are You Leading the Hive or Getting Stung?

Swarming leadership is transforming organizations across industries, from tech giants like Huawei to retail pioneers like Lego. But adopting this model requires a radical shift in mindset and culture.

Are you ready to embrace this new leadership paradigm? Or will you get left behind, stuck in a rigid hierarchy that can’t keep up with today’s fast-paced world?

The question isn’t whether swarming leadership is coming—it’s whether you’re ready to lead the hive or get stung by the swarm.

Choose wisely.

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