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Abstract
A three stage multi-method exploratory study of voluntary multiparty community collaboratives in Georgia investigated shared leadership and the psychometric properties of the Shared Leadership Scale (SLS). Item and factor analysis produced a 25-item unidimensional shared leadership scale (SLS) with strong internal consistency. Significant correlations were detected between the SLS and both the Bowers and Seashore Peer Leadership Scale and Tannenbaums Control Graph Questionnaire. Significant correlations were not detected between the SLS and a 13-item short version of the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability scale or length of membership in the collaborative. Findings from all three stages indicated that shared leadership is based on a reciprocal relationship in which all collaborative members share their individual resources through an open communication process to produce comprehensive goaloriented outcomes. These outcomes tend to promote future involvement in collaborative efforts.