Leadership Unravelled

Why is it that leaders – in social, political, and (most importantly) organisational contexts – are seemingly unable to address meaningfully the wicked problems and complex challenges that we currently face? There’s enormous busyness around reconfiguring departments and adopting ‘transformational’ operating models, but in general plus ca change, plus la meme chose. Eyewatering amounts of treasure and time are spent in corporate life on leadership development, with people working hard to try and demonstrate that something useful has happened as a result. An entire pseudo-science has emerged to try and prove its worth, in part to justify the economic dividend that goes to those who make it to the upper levels of positional power. The fetishisation of leadership, especially strong leadership, fills our news outlets holding up carefully distorted images of great men (leadership is still deeply gendered) from across the worlds of politics, business, and sports. This book explores the persistently disappeared and unacknowledged constraints that inhibit leaders in every context. It argues that these constraints – defined in this volume in terms of five organisational paradoxes and six management myths – are found at large in society and are especially impactful in organisational life. By calling attention to, and exploring in rigorous detail, these paradoxes and myths, this book helps leaders, and the leadership systems they are part of, to wriggle free of the tacit assumptions that lock them into a cul-de-sac of simplistic prescription and heroic individualism. Once these mind-forged manacles are removed, new forms of leadership practice become possible, ones that are fit for purpose in engaging with a world facing systemic crisis and existential risk. This book is essential reading for leaders and managers at all levels looking for solutions to traditionally simplistic leadership practice and who want to affect systemic change. It will be beneficial to all those in the world of leadership development including business schools and HR departments.

Most research into leadership has presented leaders as heroic, charismatic and transformational 'visionaries'. The leader, whether in business, politics or any other field, is the most important factor in determining whether organizations succeed or fail. Indeed, despite the fundamental mistakes which have, arguably, directly led to global economic recession, it is often still taken for granted that transformational leadership is a good thing, and that leaders should have much more power than followers to decide what needs to be done. The Dark Side of Transformational Leadership confronts this orthodoxy by illustrating how such approaches can encourage narcissism, megalomania and poor decision-making on the part of leaders, at great expense to those organizations they are there to serve. Written in a lively and engaging style, the book uses a number of case studies to illustrate the perils of transformational leadership, from the Jonestown tragedy in 1978 when over 900 people were either murdered or committed suicide at the urging of their leader, to an analysis of how banking executives tried to explain away their role in the 2008 financial crisis This provocative and hugely important book offers a rare critical perspective in the field of leadership studies. Concluding with a new approach that offers an alternative to the dominant transformational model, The Dark Side of Transformational Leadership will be an invaluable text for academics interested in leadership, students on leadership courses requiring a more critical perspective, and anyone concerned with how people lead people, and the lessons we can learn.

Silence always has something to say – it’s never neutral and speaks volumes if people are willing to hear. Our response to silence is often to dismiss or end it, to block it out with noise. Instead, silence needs to be taken seriously. This book explores the importance of understanding silence and shows how we can move from merely listening to truly hearing those around us. The interplay of voice and silence in organisational life is not straightforward. We can feel pressured to speak and compelled to keep our silence. Knowing how to read silence, to make sense of its generative and degenerative capacity, is a rarely developed skill among managers and leaders at all levels – who have been brought up to see silence as evidence of compliance or a weakness to be addressed. But it is a critical skill for managers and employees alike. Written by two experts in organisational development, this book explores different types of silence and their implications for organisational practice, digging into the theoretical roots and engaging with real stories and voices. It provides everyone at work with an understanding of the different meanings of silence and how to engage well with it. When to stay with it, when to join in with it, and when to be struck by what’s not being said and do something about it. The Great Unheard at Work is essential reading for corporate leaders, HR professionals in all sectors, business students, professionals, and anyone interested in leadership development.

The hidden truths of leadership - bitter or sweet - revealed like never before! Great leaders are like icebergs. They conceal more than they reveal. Indeed, mystery and the art of retaining it, is integral to leadership. Leadership, then, is more an art than a science. It is not a reality that you can touch, feel and measure, but an illusion that is created by many tricks, which you should be able to learn and practise in a way that others are not able to grasp. This book, written by a serving officer of government, is an eye - opener for anybody who aspires to be a leader, at whatever level - nation, community or a small social group and in whatever sphere - business, politics or administration. Bon voyage!

Drawing on key biblical narratives from the early part of the dramatic life of King David, Fighter Fugitive King highlights David's flaws, and God’s grace to him as a developing leader. Threaded throughout is the application of biblical theology. Applicable to the workplace and Christian ministry today, younger men and those mentoring men in spiritual leadership, will find it an inspiring and practical read that points to another King, one greater than David. Includes reflection questions at the end of each chapter. Commendations “There is a leadership crisis in the world today and this book is a passionate appeal to Christian men to be leaders who lead like Jesus seen through the lens of the life of David. It is clear, theological, challenging and hugely practical. I would recommend this as a disciple making tool for older men to disciple a younger generation.” Guy Miller, Leader of Commission Network of Churches, U.K. “There are many good Bible teachers around. There are also plenty of people who can give wisdom about leadership. What is much more rare is finding somebody who can genuinely unlock the Bible and apply it spiritually and practically to Christian leadership today. Fraser Keay is one such person! In this book his passion and experience for developing younger leaders shines through, but it shines through the biblical lens of the life of David and then onto Christ. If you want a book full of trendy leadership clichés then this isn’t for you, but if you want to grow as a leader and develop leaders yourself, and want to do so trusting God and relying on Jesus, then read on! I’ve spent much time in my Christian ministry working with younger leaders, and my only criticism of this book is that Fraser didn’t write it 30 years ago – my investment into younger leaders would’ve been so much stronger if he had!” Rev. Nigel James, pastor in the Elim Pentecostal Church Movement, based in Cardiff, Wales, U.K. and working in the USA with the Awakening Foundation and around the world in various mission partnerships.

Speak up, you can become a Beyonder! In many organisations and countries people are desperately searching for leaders that can provide solutions to transcend the many financial, political and environmental problems that the world is facing. Sadly, such leaders are few and far between. But fortunately there is hope: Beyondership. Leaders who aspire to Beyondership possess and radiate a deep-seated vision, anchored in a clear set of values. What others see as obstacles, they welcome as challenging opportunities. They create environments that inspire passion, and persevere until their goals are reached. Even when not supported by powerful parties, they have the courage to be a minority of one and steadfastly fight for what they genuinely believe. For a Beyonder, it is not about being the best in the world, but being the best for the world.

In 2021, as part of a programme called Shaping for Excellence, bosses at the University of Leicester made redundant numerous scholars in what was simultaneously an attack on academic freedom and trade union organisation. The authors of Shaping for Mediocrity not only had front-row seats in the campaign against these mass redundancies, they were in the ring - both as targeted employees and as trade union officers and negotiators. Shaping for Mediocrity tells the inside story of these attacks and the campaign against them. It situates this story within a longer history of struggle to make the university a place where critical thinking is possible, showing how events in Leicester are both reflective of higher education in the UK following four decades of neoliberal 'reform' and a particularly egregious instance of the increasingly authoritarian management of public institutions such as universities.

This book considers the idea that existing leadership theories have arisen as a result of significant disruption in work structure. The authors argue that the Covid-19 pandemic provided such a disruption and an opportunity to reconceptualise leadership. In order to capture this opportunity and conceptualise new leadership theories, it is first necessary to understand what happened in the past, during the pandemic, and examine the future of work. Addressing three critical issues in leadership, the authors firstly present a framework that helps us understand and enact leadership in the ‘new normal.’ Parts 1 and 2 of the book address the past and current forms of leadership in the context of COVID-19. The book goes on to consider the lessons learned from COVID-19 in the context of the U.N Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs). The targets of SDGs 7 - 17 refer to the need for organisations to operate responsibly; they call for organisations to review their operations processes and to define effective performance using triple-bottom-line measures comprising economic, social and environmental measures. Since leadership plays a significant role in achieving these goals, the book includes chapters on efficiency in process design and operation, definition and implementation of the triple-bottom-line measures and ethical behaviours. Finally, the book explores how the current process of leadership development falls short in today’s context and calls for the need to develop effective leadership mindsets

The Holy Scriptures Of Mokonvist Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from Mokonvist? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify Mokonvist in your body. Use this important religious text to follow the Almighty Mokonvist and the Kingdomist faith. The Holy Scripture of Mokonvist is inspired by God, through dreams, revelations, visions, prophecies, and parables. Mokonvist reveals his mystery and that the beauty of human beings should be preserved. In this Holy Scripture, Mokonvist will teach you how to maintain that beauty. 1. Angels appear to you as good, because Mokonvist created you and said they are good. You will also learn why Mokonvist wishes that you look nice and how Mokonvist can support you to look after your body. You will also come to understand that this Holy Scripture of Mokonvist involves deep spiritual reflection. Mokonvist, in Heaven, revealed this Holy Scripture to his prophet, Gabriel, through dreams, revelations, visions, prophecies, and parables. These Holy words are presented here for you to study and include considerations of the present and of the future. You must always understand that the secrets of the Holy Scripture of Mokonvist came directly from Mokonvist, in Heaven. It can be confusing for humans to comprehend this. The key to this revelation is to remember that ‘time’ plays a great role in the life of all human beings. You were born on ‘time’, you're grown on ‘time’, work on ‘time’, and live your entire life, on ‘time’. Each vision, dream, revelation, prophecy, and parable from all the prophets of Mokonvist were made at different ‘times’. Your life depends on it. Please know and understand that only the wise that have faith can interpret and understand these Holy Scriptures. There are lots of parables also. Now be ready for the day or the hour because no one knows; not the Angels in Heaven; not the prophet Gabriel; only Mokonvist. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. Mokonvist only wishes that you are a good soldier of the faith and are ready for victory. Visions, dreams, revelations are not always complete and are sometimes cut short. If your faith has been disturbed by noise or from someone, you must avoid that disturbance.

This book brings together top recruitment and selection scholars to discuss recent challenges in employee recruitment and selection underpinned by research evidence from different European countries. Broadly speaking, recruitment and selection are concerned with attracting qualified candidates to apply for available jobs and selecting the best ones from the pool of available candidates. As such, they are critical to any business. Numerous toolkits and best practice guides exist to help recruiters navigate different stages of recruitment and selection. However, traditional recruitment and selection practices should be adjusted to respond to diverse challenges in the current and future world of work related with increased volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. Specific examples of these challenges are related with the accelerated use of technology and artificial intelligence, as well as more flexible work practices, such as hybrid and platform-based work. The chapters in this volume cover the use of technology and gamification, applicant discrimination and stigmatization, and applicant reactions to technology-mediated selection methods, among others. This book is the ideal text for students, scholars and researchers of HRM, Business and Management and Organizational Psychology. It will also interest practitioners and professionals in the field. The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology.