Guide on Distributed Leadership in Agile Environments

Distributed Leadership and its importance:
In an Agile environment, distributed leadership refers to a model where leadership roles are shared among team members rather than being concentrated in one or few individuals. It is crucial for encouraging autonomy, fostering creativeness, and accelerating decision-making process, which are key attributes in a fast-changing Agile work environment.

What is Distributed Leadership:
Distributed Leadership is a leadership model where roles and responsibilities are shared among team members, rather than being vested in one individual - giving everyone the opportunity to take lead at different stages or in different areas based on their skills and capabilities.

How Distributed Leadership works:
It works by encouraging every team member to take up leadership roles in their areas of expertise, making the leadership style a collective activity rather than individual-based. Decision-making is done in collaborative manner, promoting mutual respect and understanding.

Exam Tips on Distributed Leadership:
When answering questions on Distributed Leadership, remember its crucial characteristics - shared responsibility, flexibility, collaboration, and increased participation of everyone - and focus on how these can lead to increased productivity and faster decision-making in an Agile environment. Also, be familiar with how the Agile principles and values support the features of Distributed Leadership.

Use examples to illustrate your point when necessary and keep your answers succinct and to the point.