Leadership has become a prevalent concept across a variety of disciplines, among them history, politics, management studies, economics, and psychology. An array of definitions and theories have been proposed both by those who study leadership, and by those in leadership positions themselves. Here, Dominic Scott and R. Edward Freeman adopt a highly innovative approach by going back to one of the greatest thought leaders of all time, the Greek philosopher Plato. Plato brought a richness and complexity to common ideas about the nature and purpose of leadership. Rather than attempting to give a single 'one-size-fits-all' definition, his strategy was to break it into its different strands. He presents several 'models' of leadership, mostly through images or analogies: the leader as doctor, navigator, artist, teacher, shepherd, weaver, or sower. Each model points to features of leadership that we intuitively recognize to be important, and which still carry significant weight today, such as curing a social malaise or charting a new course. Scott and Freeman set out the essentials of Plato's thought and illustrate each model through modern case studies, including presidents, CEOs, and Nobel laureates. They also measure Plato's models against more recent concepts, using his insights to throw light on contemporary theory and practice. With a principal focus on leadership, and an assumption of no prior knowledge of Plato's works, this book takes a multi-faceted approach to a complex phenomenon.

Dominic Scott and R. Edward Freeman adopt an innovative approach to understanding leadership by returning to one of the greatest thought leaders in history--the Greek philosopher Plato. They bring the richness of Plato's models of leadership to bear on contemporary case studies, examining the nature and purpose of leadership in today's world.

This book reinvigorates the use of wisdom in management and work practice, promoting it as an important research topic and demonstrating how it can be applied across a number of important management areas such as knowledge innovation and strategy.

The Routledge Critical Companion to Leadership Studies offers a rich and insightful overview of critical leadership studies for students, teachers, researchers, and practitioners. The volume draws together 35 chapters from 56 authors who represent the vibrant diversity of the critical leadership community. It includes chapters from emerging and preeminent scholars who share an interest in directing leadership theorizing, development and practice toward the aims of liberation, justice, and equity. The Companion is organized into six themes: (1) philosophical perspectives on leadership; (2) processes, practices, and power dynamics in leadership; (3) diversity and leadership; (4) leadership education and development; (5) lessons from the dark side of leadership; and (6) reimagining leadership and leadership studies. The book has been curated to serve as a "go to" resource for undergraduate and postgraduate students, academic staff, and researchers seeking to understand the current state of play on a given topic, as well as inspiration for how they might contribute to its development. Each chapter provides a comprehensive yet succinct review of contemporary literature and offers the reader avenues for future research. Leadership practitioners will also find provocative ideas among these pages to help them interrogate and transform the ways they lead.

This text examines how education is changing and outlines what is desirable and workable. The authors suggest clear guidelines for policy-makers and practitioners.

Democracy and Leadership: On Pragmatism and Virtue presents a theory of leadership drawing on insights from Plato’s Republic, while abandoning his authoritarianism in favor of John Dewey’s democratic thought. The book continues the democratic turn for the study of leadership beyond the incorporation of democratic values into old-fashioned views about leading. The completed democratic turn leaves behind the traditional focus on a class of special people. Instead, leadership is understood as a process of judicious yet courageous guidance, infused with democratic values and open to all people. The book proceeds in three parts, beginning with definitions and an understanding of the nature of leadership in general and of democratic leadership in particular. Then, Part II examines four challenges for a democratic theory of leadership. Finally, in Part III, the theory of democratic leadership is put to the test of addressing problems of poverty, educational frustration, and racial divides, particularly aggravated in Mississippi.

Building on the concept of Transpersonal Leadership, Leading Beyond the Ego offers a practical approach to becoming an authentic, ethical, caring and more effective leader. Rooted in the experience of senior organisational leaders and mentors, readers embark on a personal journey to innovate and enhance their leadership skills. Reflections are rooted in recent advances in neuroscience and acknowledge the challenges faced by leaders in light of new organisational and commercial structures, in a volatile and uncertain world. The reader is supported to transcend individual ego to develop beyond emotional intelligence to a higher level of consciousness and ethical behaviour; able to build strong, collaborative relationships and to create a caring, sustainable and performance-enhancing culture. Emboldened by the changing world and inspired by leaders around us, this new edition is enriched by new chapters on leading with purpose; managing (and benefitting from) diversity; health, resilience and well-being; sustainable leadership; and leading in complex adaptive systems. Every other chapter has been thoroughly updated and upgraded in the light of experience and feedback from readers, including a new section in key chapters challenging readers to put theory into practice. Learn how to lead beyond the ego! An essential manual for current and aspiring organisational leaders, HR professionals, executive coaches and mentors, Leading Beyond the Ego is a vital reference source for anyone in a position of leadership.