ABSTRACT

In recent years we have seen what could be described as a moral meltdown in the corporate corridors of power. Few sectors have escaped high profile scandals, with public officials and leaders guilty of malpractice, duplicity, fraud and corporate malfeasance. Conventional leadership theories appear to be inadequate to equip those with power to act ethically and responsibly. At a more macro level, many of the social and environmental problems we face in the 21st century could in fact, be described as spiritual in nature, rooted in a flawed human condition.

Leadership Matters brings together an eclectic mix of authors of different faith traditions, to explore what this spiritual and cultural transformation might look like. For too long we have relied on external codes of conduct, which are, at best, blunt instruments for creating ethical practice. So, chapter by chapter, this book examines our interior lives from the perspective of mind, body and soul.

The unashamed premise of this book is that true and influential leadership comes from the inside with each chapter presenting what it means to lead respectfully, critically, responsibly and humbly in the gritty reality of the twenty first century workplace. This volume will be of keen interest to academics and practitioners in the field of leadership and the related disciplines.

chapter 1|13 pages

Introduction

“Leadership Matters?”

part I|58 pages

Voice

chapter 2|17 pages

The Mindful-Promise

Leading With Integrity for a Sustainable Future

chapter 3|12 pages

Can Ethical Leadership Be Developed?

part II|64 pages

Connection

chapter 5|13 pages

What’s More Effective Than Affective Leadership?

Searching for Embodiment in Leadership Research and Practice

chapter 6|13 pages

An Ethic of Care

Reconnecting the Private and the Public

chapter 7|11 pages

Leading When Using Other Words

Reconnecting Leadership to Language

chapter 8|14 pages

From Great to Good Enough

Reconnecting Leadership to the Ordinary 1

part |8 pages

Vignettes

chapter |3 pages

“You Don’t Think You Can Make a Difference, Do You?”

Keeping Integrity as a Middle Manager

chapter |2 pages

Dotty’s Kitchin

part III|47 pages

Meaning