This paper aims at an exploration of leadership in the context of pervasive organizational control, in the
form of standardized measurement systems. Measurement practices are proliferating in contemporary
organizations, with ever more aspects of both organizational and private life being monitored and
measured (Clegg & Courpasson, 2006). These systems are generally seen as an important part of organizational
control regulating and shaping both actions of organizational members, and their own self-understanding or
identity (Alvesson & Willmott, 2002). The image of the iron cage of bureaucracy, where action is tightly
regulated, has in part been exchanged for the image of soft controls, regulating values and identities rather than
behaviors and actions. Kärreman and Alvesson (2004), however, point out how these two types of control might
work in tandem, constituting a strong regulating force.
In contrast to this literature that emphasize the constraints on individual agency, the leadership literature
emphasize the powers of leaders to influence and shape organizations and organizational processes
(Yukl,2002). Leadership is commonly associated with driving and facilitating change and development. Theories
of leadership emphasize (among other things) vision, personal engagement, interpersonal relationships, and ability
to empower subordinates.
How, then, can leaders exercise their agency and enable change when faced with systems generally seen as
regulating rather than facilitating agency? It is this paradox that we wish to explore in this paper. We take the
case of employee surveys, being a common practice in western organizations, that paradoxically constitute a
standardized system aiming at change and development, and explore how these are experienced and managed by
leaders in various organizations. We wish to analyze in terms of leadership how these standardized systems migh
on the one hand constrain leadership action, and on the other hand be utilized in change related initiatives, thereby
preserving leadership agency
