Questioning Leadership

2016-11-10

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Author: Gabriele Lakomski
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 1317293711
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 227

Questioning Leadership offers a diverse mix of cutting-edge research in the field of educational leadership, with contributions from expert and emerging leadership scholars. It contextualises school leadership within broader social and historical contexts and traces its influence on school performance through time, from its relatively modest role within a systems theory paradigm to its growing influence from the 1980s onwards, as exercising leadership came to be perceived as being largely responsible for improving educational outcomes. This book invites the reader to challenge the current orthodoxy of leader-centrism and instead reflect more broadly on the various structural and institutional interrelationships that determine how a school functions successfully. It poses challenging questions, such as: Is leadership really necessary for high-quality school performance? Can schools function effectively without leadership? Is it possible to describe the work that principals do without using the word ‘leadership’? How do we challenge the assumption that leadership simply exists and that it is seen as the appropriate default explanation for school performance? This book does not assume that leadership is the key to organisational performance, although it acknowledges the work that principals do. It goes against current orthodoxy and offers varied perspectives on how leadership might be repositioned vis-à-vis organisational and institutional structures. It also suggests some new directions for leading and learning and throws open a discussion on leadership that for too long has been captured by the assumption that the leader is the cause of organisational performance and learning outcomes in schools. At a time when leadership’s dominance seems unshakeable, this is a bold book that should appeal to postgraduate students of educational leadership and management, those undertaking training in educational administration and current school leaders interested in exploring the value of leadership for educational organisations.

A More Beautiful Question

2014-03-04

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Author: Warren Berger
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
ISBN: 1620401460
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 273

To get the best answer-in business, in life-you have to ask the best possible question. Innovation expert Warren Berger shows that ability is both an art and a science. It may be the most underappreciated tool at our disposal, one we learn to use well in infancy-and then abandon as we grow older. Critical to learning, innovation, success, even to happiness-yet often discouraged in our schools and workplaces-it can unlock new business opportunities and reinvent industries, spark creative insights at many levels, and provide a transformative new outlook on life. It is the ability to question-and to do so deeply, imaginatively, and “beautifully.” In this fascinating exploration of the surprising power of questioning, innovation expert Warren Berger reveals that powerhouse businesses like Google, Nike, and Netflix, as well as hot Silicon Valley startups like Pandora and Airbnb, are fueled by the ability to ask fundamental, game-changing questions. But Berger also shares human stories of people using questioning to solve everyday problems-from “How can I adapt my career in a time of constant change?” to “How can I step back from the daily rush and figure out what really makes me happy?” By showing how to approach questioning with an open, curious mind and a willingness to work through a series of “Why,” “What if,” and “How” queries, Berger offers an inspiring framework of how we can all arrive at better solutions, fresh possibilities, and greater success in business and life.

Questioning Leadership

2024-06-20

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Author: Michael Harvey
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1009484265
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 154

This Element posits that questions are the heart of leadership. Leaders ask hard questions that spark creative solutions and new understandings. Asking by itself isn't enough - leaders must also help find answers and turn them into effective action. But the leader's work begins with questions. This Element surveys the main traditions of leadership thought; considers the nature of the group and its questions; explores how culture and bureaucracy serve to provide stable answers to the group's questions; and explores how leaders offers disruptive answers, especially in times of change and crisis. It uses the lens of questions to consider two parallel American lives, President Abraham Lincoln and General Robert E. Lee.

Out of the Question

2014

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Author: Allan Milham
Publisher: Advantage Media Group
ISBN: 1599324601
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 178

Out of the Question: How Curious Leader Win offers a new mindset and a practical approach to thriving in the firestorm of change that today's leaders face. Existing businesses and business models are facing disruption at all levels. Our younger employees are not satisfied with just a “job,” but rather, want work that allows them to be involved and included in decisions— or they will walk. Leaders of teams who, in the past, could lead through command and control are finding themselves unable to keep up with the pace of change and the expanding challenges of engaging their talent. This book offers readers a new and relevant framework to guide both personal and group decision-making. With rich stories and practical approaches, you will learn where you currently fall between two leadership styles defined as the Knower leader and the Learner leader. The authors demonstrate how you can make continuous progress towards the ideals of Learner Leadership in order to achieve the best possible outcomes, which inspire and engage teams. The key for leaders today is to carefully forge authentic and genuine questions, delivered with the right tone and in the right setting. By leading with curiosity and wonder, leaders can reduce stress on themselves by no longer needing to have all the answers. Leading with curiosity creates a collaborative learning environment in which shared explorations of possible solutions flourish, leading to genuine questions. The process is rewarding for all and the results allow a team to accelerate their progress through the power of many.

The Book of Beautiful Questions

2018-10-30

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Author: Warren Berger
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
ISBN: 1632869586
Category : Self-Help
Languages : en
Pages : 287

From the bestselling author of A More Beautiful Question, hundreds of big and small questions that harness the magic of inquiry to tackle challenges we all face--at work, in our relationships, and beyond. When confronted with almost any demanding situation, the act of questioning can help guide us to smart decisions. By asking questions, we can analyze, learn, and move forward in the face of uncertainty. But "questionologist" Warren Berger says that the questions must be the right ones; the ones that cut to the heart of complexity or enable us to see an old problem in a fresh way. In The Book of Beautiful Questions, Berger shares illuminating stories and compelling research on the power of inquiry. Drawn from the insights and expertise of psychologists, innovators, effective leaders, and some of the world's foremost creative thinkers, he presents the essential questions readers need to make the best choices when it truly counts, with a particular focus in four key areas: decision-making, creativity, leadership, and relationships. The powerful questions in this book can help you: - Identify opportunities in your career or industry - Generate fresh ideas in business or in your own creative pursuits - Check your biases so you can make better judgments and decisions - Do a better job of communicating and connecting with the people around you Thoughtful, provocative, and actionable, these beautiful questions can be applied immediately to bring about change in your work or your everyday life.

A Question of Leadership

2021-02-18

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Author: Keith Leslie
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1472986032
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 289

A fascinating guide to effective leadership in times of crises, with a psychological underpinning that provides both context and practical advice. Whether planned or unexpected, change can present leaders with some of their toughest sustained challenges, regardless of seniority or the organisation's size. In A Question of Leadership, Keith Leslie provides a wide range of illustrative case studies derived from both research and his first-hand experience in the public and private sectors. They are united by an overarching thesis: the failure of many change initiatives is caused by the leader's inability to fully consider the consequences and magnitude of the situation. Across business and society, the prevalence and impacts of such short-sighted mistakes has become more apparent than ever following the onset of the Covid pandemic in 2020. Each chapter provides an engaging narrative that presents a relatable leadership dilemma, before undertaking an analysis of what works and when it should be implemented and, finally, actionable advice for leaders who find themselves in comparable circumstances (or may do so in the future). A Question of Leadership also places an emphasis on an important but frequently overlooked element of corporate leadership and change initiatives: mental health. The book provides expert advice on managing the mental health of leaders and the teams who are operating within stressful, high-pressure environments. This is a timely and essential guide for any business leader looking for the most effective strategies and approaches when it comes to change initiatives, to ensure the continued livelihood and prosperity of their organization and their employees in times of crisis.

The Art of Asking the Right Questions

2017

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Author: Caroline McEnery
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781781192719
Category : Personnel management
Languages : en
Pages : 0

The Magic Question (PB)

2013-03-08

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Author: David Cottrell
Publisher: McGraw Hill Professional
ISBN: 0071806172
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 108

The business leader’s toolbox for increasing morale, decreasing turnover, and contributing more than ever to your company’s bottom line “What if you could create a culture where everyone is committed to the greater good of the organization? Sound like a pipe dream? David Cottrell will show you the way . . . .” –Ken Blanchard, coauthor of The One Minute Manager and Lead with Luv How can I help? Isn't that the question every leader longs to hear? What if every person on your team consistently asked you, How can I help? What if your team was totally in sync with and committed to achieving your organizations objectives? What if everyone on your team was willing to leave his or her comfort zone and take a risk to help your team win? Impossible? Unrealistic? Pollyanna? No. The team with the best leader usually wins. Sounds simple ... but what does it take to be the best leader? Often what is missing is the understanding of how to lead others toward a common goal. In its simplest form, leadership comes down to answering six key questions that are important to your team. When your teams needs are being met, they will want to ask you The Magic Question: How can I help? If you depend on results from others, this book is for you. It offers a proven method for creating an atmosphere in which employees willingly give discretionary effort. The Magic Question is not about a new leadership strategy. Strategies come and go. What you will learn in is tried and true regardless of the strategic focus of the time, and the principles apply to businesses in every industry, as well as schools, hospitals, churches, even homes. When you hear The Magic Question, you will know you are on your way to better results and to achieving them faster than ever before. Every team asks the questions. Great leaders have the answers. David Cottrell is President and CEO of CornerStone Leadership Institute, one of the nation’s largest publishers of management and leadership resources.

A Question of Leadership

2021-02-18

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Author: Keith Leslie
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1472986040
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 289

A fascinating guide to effective leadership in times of crises with a psychological underpinning. Whether planned or unexpected, change presents leaders with their toughest sustained challenges – regardless of the leader's seniority or the organisation's size. For many leaders, change brings drama – and the replaying of familiar stories. In A Question of Leadership, Keith Leslie provides a wide range of illustrative case studies derived from both research and his first-hand experience in the public and private sectors as a former partner at both Deloitte and McKinsey. Each chapter first provides an engaging narrative that presents a relatable leadership dilemma, before an analysis of what works and when (often reaching seemingly counterintuitive solutions), followed by a selection of research which supports this thesis and, finally, actionable advice for leaders who find themselves in comparable circumstances (or may do so in the future). Alongside their individual takeaways, each of these case studies are united behind an overarching thesis: the failure of many change initiatives (research shows that approx. 60-70% fail) is caused by the leader's inability to fully consider the consequences and magnitude of the situation. Whether they consider it 'just a game', or they are 'gaming the system', they often fail to recognise the full consequences of the change initiative. Across business and society, the prevalence and impacts of such short-sighted mistakes has become more overt than ever following the onset of the ongoing pandemic. A Question of Leadership also places an emphasis upon one element of corporate leadership and change initiatives that is frequently overlooked yet more important than ever: mental health. The book provides expert advice on managing mental health (both that of the leader and their team) within stressful, high-pressure environments. This is a timely and essential guide for any business leader looking for the most effective strategies and approaches when it comes to change initiatives. Keith Leslie explores the corporate consequences of the worldwide pandemic, and analyses how leaders can adapt and improve to ensure the continued livelihood and prosperity of their organization and employees in the wake of crises.

Beyond Leadership

2017-11-06

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Author: Scott Eacott
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9811065683
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 279

This book systematically elaborates Scott Eacott’s “relational” approach to organizational theory in education. Contributing to the relational trend in the social sciences, it first surveys relational scholarship across disciplines before providing a nuanced articulation of the relational research program and key concepts such as organizing activity, auctors, and spatio-temporal conditions. It also includes critical commentaries on the program from key figures such as Tony Bush, Megan Crawford, Fenwick English, Helen Gunter, Izhar Oplatka, Augusto Riveros, and Dawn Wallin. As such, the text models an approach to, or social epistemology for building knowledge claims in relation rather than through parallel monologues. Eacott’s relational approach provides a distinctive, post-Bourdieusian variant of the relational sociological project. Shifting the focus of inquiry from entities (e.g., leaders, organizations) to organizing activity and recognizing how auctors generate – simultaneously emerging from and constitutive of – spatio-temporal conditions unsettles the orthodoxy of organizational theory in educational administration and leadership. By presenting its claims in the context of other approaches, the book stimulates intellectual debate among both relational sociologists and opponents of relational approaches. Beyond Leadership provides significant insights into the organizing of education. As it does not fit neatly into any one field, but instead blends educational administration and leadership, organizational studies, and relational sociology, among others, it charts new territory and promotes important dialogue and debate.