Leadership - we have all been part of it in some way. Many have practised it, others have researched and written about it, all of us have seen it in action at some time. Yet despite its ubiquity, there is a continuing cry that we need more and better leadership, be it in business, schools, churches, the community, or politics. This book, rather than taking a traditional theoretical approach, lets the voices of those acknowledged as leaders across the community do the talking. These are people who live, breath and practise leadership - they make it happen. Each of the ten leaders who speak in this book has demonstrated outstanding success in their field, such that their story is rich and informative, adding both critical and creative insights for those who seek to understand the leadership phenomenon better.What is this thing called leadership? will be of interest to those currently holding leadership positions in their organisations, those aspiring to such positions, as well as to those studying leadership more formally, such as MBA students.

School leaders play a critical role in shaping learners for the future. In Australia, some states have begun to establish programs to develop excellence in leadership through professional development programs, strategic initiatives, support, and networking opportunities for school leaders. And yet, up until now, there has been a dearth of scholarly output on school leadership in the Australian context to ensure the success of this next generation of leadership training. This book brings together the expertise, research, and experience of 29 of the best of Australia's educational academics and practitioners to dissect the social, historical and cultural contexts within which educational leadership is understood and practised today. Four sections cover the major topics of: Contexts and challenges facing educational leaders; Leadership issues and approaches; Professional learning and development for leaders; and Leadership in and for successful schools. A must read for all undergraduate and postgraduate students of school leadership, current teacher and leader practitioners, system-level educational leaders and policy makers.

Leading Beautifully provides a new dimension to understanding effective leadership. Drawing from lessons in the arts and the humanities, English and Ehrich explore how educational decision-making in schools can be informed by identity, personal competence, and an understanding of the field's intellectual foundations. Based on in-depth interviews of artists and educational leaders, this book provides insight into the inner world of successful leaders who have developed competencies and understandings that extend beyond the standard leadership tool box. This exciting new book explores the theory and practice of leadership connoisseurship as a human-centered endeavor and as an antidote to mechanistic, business-oriented practices. The authors' well-grounded reconsideration of educational leadership will enliven and enhance any educational leader's practice.

Leading Beautifully provides a new dimension to understanding effective leadership. Drawing from lessons in the arts and the humanities, English and Ehrich explore how educational decision-making in schools can be informed by identity, personal competence, and an understanding of the field's intellectual foundations. Based on in-depth interviews of artists and educational leaders, this book provides insight into the inner world of successful leaders who have developed competencies and understandings that extend beyond the standard leadership tool box. This exciting new book explores the theory and practice of leadership connoisseurship as a human-centered endeavor and as an antidote to mechanistic, business-oriented practices. The authors' well-grounded reconsideration of educational leadership will enliven and enhance any educational leader's practice.