Relational Leadership and Governing: Somali Clan Cultural Leadership

This research is focused on exploring the distinction between theories of leadership and more contemporary visions of relational leading. In order to do so, the specific case of traditional clan structure seen in the Somali state will be examined, and parallels between the two will be drawn. This paper argues that the old Somali tradition shares much in common with current writing on relational leadership (Uhl-Bien, 2006) and, therefore, can expand our understanding and support for a form of leadership that transcends traditional, individualist, hierarchical leadership. This argument will be supported by a detailed investigation into clan politics, leadership, and state formation within clan culture in Somalia as a case study. Therefore, this research will evaluate how approaches to leadership of clan culture institutions and political figures co-exist, overlap, and have intervened in the context of political competition in post-conflict Somalia. By exploring the case of Somalia and its clan structure and clan-based political leadership in pre-colonial, colonial, and post-colonial periods, this research offers an expanded understanding of relational leading and its benefits for social and cultural transformation. The literature reviewed reveals that Somali traditional clan leadership has similar relationality in its style to that of relational leadership. In writing this literature review, I have utilized a qualitative approach from data collection to the development of ideas.