Bridging leadership is a style of leadership that focuses on creating and sustaining effective working relationships among key partners and stakeholders. By "bridging" different perspectives and opinions often found across the breadth of different stakeholders, a common agenda can begin to be developed and shared in order to find solutions to social and economic problems.
Below are case studies of bridging leaders from around the world.
A related set of training materials is also available.
Case Studies
Introduction to the Case Studies
- Bridging the Social Divide: A Grounded View of Partnership-Building in Latin America, Southeast Asia, Southern Africa and North America by Steven D. Pierce.
Latin America
- Brazil ~ Oded Grajew: A New Type of Business Leadership Is Possible
Examines bridging leadership between business and civil society. - Brazil ~ Edna Roland: The Black Voice
Examines bridging leadership among business, civil society, and government sectors. - Ecuador ~ An Institution and a Leader: The University of Guayaquil and its Vice-Chancellor, León Roldós Aguilera
Examines bridging leadership between business and civil society. - Mexico ~ Building Bridges in Rural Mexico: How NGOs Can Strengthen Local Government through Collaborative Leadership
Examines bridging leadership among business, local government, NGOs, and academia sectors. - Mexico ~ Unlikely Partners: Multi-sector Partnerships in Chihuahua
Examines bridging leaderships among business, civil society, and regional government.
Southeast Asia
- Philippines ~ From Local Needs to National Movement: The Case of Tessie Fernandez
Examines bridging leadership among business, civil society, NGOs, and government sectors. - Philippines ~ Ambassador Howard Dee: Building Bridges for the Lumads
Examines bridging leadership among academia, business, civil society, media, NGOs, national government, and religious sectors. - Philippines ~ Fr. Eliseo "Jun" Mercado
Examines bridging leadership among religious, civil society, academia, local government, media, NGOs, and business sectors. - Philippines ~ Parawagan: Bridging Leadership in Local Communities
Examines bridging leadership among local government, business, civil society, and NGOs. - Thailand ~ Khun Paiboon: Opening Channels for Participation
Examines bridging leadership among NGOs, academia, civil society, business, and national government. - Thailand ~ Professor Saneh Chimarik: Leadership through Teaching
Examines bridging leadership among civil society, academia, NGOs, and national government.
Southern Africa
- Lesotho ~ Leading the Way from Poverty to Prosperity: The Value of Mediation
Examines bridging leadership among business, civil society, and regional government sectors. - KwaZulu/Natal ~ In Search of Peace and Development in Kwazulu/Natal: Chief Khanyile
Examines bridging leadership among tribal council, provincial and local governments, business, civil society, NGOs, religious, and political parties. - KwaZulu/Natal ~ Building Bridging through Dialogue: The Case of Chief Zibuse Mlaba
Examines bridging leadership among business, civil society, intergeneration, government, and different communities.
North America
- United States ~ Making Partnership a Habit: Margie McHugh and the New York Immigration Coalition
Examines bridging leadership between NGOs and government.
