The purpose of this book is to not only persuade leaders that action research is leadership, but that leadership can be more deliberate in promoting human dignity when leaders engage in a reflective process of continuous improvement.
An action research frame of mind is the impetus for efforts toward continuous improvement -- dissatisfaction with what is the beginning of improvement! The caveat is that leadership is not a position, leadership is action. Those who want to make their work better, their service better, their clients, customers, stakeholders, children, or students better -- are leaders, with or without a bureaucratic or hierarchical position.
Professional leadership, executive leadership, company leadership, and everyday leadership requires action and reflection on those actions to determine the effectiveness of the continuous improvement process.
The rationale for this book is to provide leaders at all levels with a framework that progresses through six steps of action and research from considering the challenge faced by the leader within an organization to reflecting on the improvement and next steps to continue the improvement process - thus Leading Up: From Problem to Possibility.
Industry Reviews
Leading Up: From Problem to Possibility represents an effective blueprint for today's innovative leaders to address the complex issues that organizations face by using the creative talent of those people closest to the problem - the insider. Collaboration and teamwork have become key organizational principals in the last several decades. In presenting an insider action research approach through the L.E.A.D.E.R. framework as a way to foster organizational improvement, the authors highlight the strength of action research in a practical way that leaders at all levels working in a wide range of disciplines can effectively utilize as a method to solve problems and address issues in their organization. -- Anthony P. Chiarlitti, EdD, Chief of Police (Retired), Pleasantville (NY) Police Department The concept of Leadership in today's world is experiencing unabated challenges. The notion of autocratic models of leadership to the democratic worldview of leadership has been placed before the world as equal options to consider. The assumption is that followers prefer a type of leadership that maximizes the freedom to choose leaders through a free and fair process that appears to be under attack worldwide. Even in democratic countries, the choice of leaders often is reduced to an autocrat or inclusive style of leadership amongst candidates. Research and scholarship in the areas of leadership and management are extremely important given these realities. The authors of Leading Up: From Problem to Possibility, approach leadership from a pluralistically rising perspective of the lead not the traditional notion of the leaders. This book suggests that in a society, organization, or institution even the most modest stakeholder is responsible for leading. The idea of leaders versus followers is eliminated by placing the responsibility to lead on all stakeholders. The authors take a further step by providing a prescription to follow as they introduce their progressive approach to the leadership responsibilities of all stakeholders. Readers familiar with the concepts of action research in leadership, participatory leadership, and strategic leadership will find this book helpful in their practice and new readers will be oriented toward an inclusive leadership approach that is needed in the world today. -- Malcolm A. Punter, EdD, MBA, President & CEO, HARLEM CONGREGATIONS FOR COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT INC. Leading Up: From Problem to Possibility is transformative, inspiring, and practical! It affirms the leadership qualities within each person and equips the reader with a framework, L.E.A.D.E.R, from which one can maximize possibilities in the face of complex problems. Action research is leadership in action! True leadership creates an environment where problems are addressed, collective intelligence is sought, innovations are encouraged, and change is welcomed! Jacobs and Kushner offer practical examples of how leaders can move organizations toward future possibilities and how to move their participants towards greater commitment to the organization, a win-win solution! -- Gabrielle Nguyen, S.C.C., Chaplain, Education Coordinator, and Volunteer Chaplain Assistant Coordinator at UPMC North Central Pa. Region
