In contemporary work environments, there is a shift towards distributing leadership roles within teams based on members' talents, emphasizing shared leadership where influence and responsibilities are collectively shared among team members. Extensive research has shown that shared leadership positively impacts team performance, cognitive and motivational processes, and various team behaviors. However, limited attention has been paid to how shared leadership affects individual team members. This study investigates its influence on informal learning within teams. Additionally, it examines the impact of shared leadership on team commitment at both individual and team levels. We explore our hypostatized relationship between shared leadership, individual informal learning, and team commitment in two distinct samples, including 55 teams in a Fortune 500 manufacturing firm and 58 student teams working on a complex semester-long simulation. By delving into these dynamics across different levels of analysis, this research aims to provide insights into the multifaceted effects of shared leadership on individual learning and commitment within teams, offering valuable implications for organizations seeking to foster collaborative leadership and enhance team effectiveness and commitment.
