Four positions for a Host Leader and “Yo Capitan”
Here follows my new post related to the forthcoming Host Leadership Gathering in Sofia, 3-4 June 2024
I start with a brief overview of the four key positions for a Host Leader and then continue, making a link between my personal experience of a film and the benefits of applying the Host Leadership concept to a range of different situations.
FOUR POSITIONS FOR A HOST LEADER
Mark McKergow’s and Helen Bailey’s investigation of hosting has led them to the idea that “a key thing hosts do is spend time in four distinct positions as they engage with people and events”. (2014: 35) Below is how they describe the four positions:
In the spotlight
Being the focus of attention, out front, making things happen. It is very much the public facing part of the leader’s role. It is where the action is, in full view of everyone.
With the guests
Still in view of everyone, but being “one of the group” – not the overall centre of attention. The leader takes time to go around and “work the room”. It involves spending time with people individually or in very small groups.
In the gallery
Standing back, taking an overview of what’s happening. The leader intentionally shifts their perspective to look at the whole team, the organization, and the whole community in which they work.
In the kitchen
In a more private and intimate space. Preparing and reflecting, working on own development, seeking counsel from confidants. Kitchen time keeps leaders balanced and in harmony with themselves.
Host Leaders move smoothly from one position to another thus keeping an all-round perspective on what is happening, so they can step forward when needed and then step back into another position – always alert.
YO CAPITAN (ME CAPTAIN)
(an Italian-Belgian co-production, 2023)
The title of the film, as well as my Host Leadership practitioner curiosity prompted me to go and see the picture. The journeys of migrants and leadership are indeed the main themes that the film explores.
Seydou and Moussa, two young men, aspire to become rap stars. They leave Dakar to make their way to Europe through the dangers of the desert, the horrors of the detention centers, and the perils of the sea. With zero experience in sailing and against his common sense, 16- year-old Seydou finds himself navigating a rickety boat with over 100 migrants in it. They all face the formidable challenge of crossing the Mediterranean to finally land on the shores of Sicily. From experiencing himself as a victim for most of the film, towards its end Seydu succeeds in leading the people in the boat to safety.
As I watch the waves rock the boat, I hold my breath and at the same time, much to my own surprise, I notice myself identifying the host leading positions Seydou adopts in the course of the long days and hours far at sea.
In the spotlight
The camera zooms in on him at the steering wheel. Far from being ‘naturally’ comfortable at the helm, he is intent on the sea and the winds, in full awareness of the severity of the situation and everybody’s safety being in his hands.
With the guests
Every now and again, Seydou leaves the captain’s bridge to see how his passengers, crammed in the back part of the boat, are faring. He talks and listens to them, doing his best to ease the heavy burden of anxiety. It might be that he builds trust and inspires hope that the hazardous journey will end well.
In the Gallery
From the captain’s bridge, a good In-the-gallery spot Seydou takes a bird’s eye view of what is going on in the back of the boat. On the second afternoon of their journey, something unexpected and truly dramatic happens. One of the women goes into labour and panic seizes all the passengers. Within minutes chaos ensues and we see Seydo jumping in, taking control and making sure peace and order settle in.
In the kitchen
Among the most moving shots are those of Seydou conversing with his cousin Moussa. They reminisce about happy moments in their native Dakar, share their bitter concerns about how and whether they will ever reach the shore, and, also, get lost in their dreams about a bright musicians’ future. We notice how Seydou regains his energy and smiles at the sea.
In the Spotlight again
A new day begins. Seydou is the first to notice the birds and, a bit later on, to hear the sound of a helicopter rotor high above. The final close-up is of Seydou yelling “Yo Capitan” to anybody who can him. There is triumph in his voice. His posture asserts his leader self and embodies hope for a dream beginning to come true.
Moving forward
The film is a work of fiction. However, experiences like Seydou’s can be and are, indeed, real. Imaginary detail and representation techniques only add to the power of the viewing experience. It is highly unlikely that the creators of the film have deliberately built in the four positions of the host leader in Seydou’s performance.
Intentions aside, important is that my response to the film was to associate the four positions with Seydou’s handling of the situation. And here is the clue to the usefulness of the metaphor of leader as host and the simple two steps-four positions-six roles model. As long as we are aware of it and recognise the four positions in the dynamics of what we do, we can reach for them in our tool box and move forward with our hosting practice.