Reflexive Leadership
Organising in an imperfect world
- Mats Alvesson - Lund University, Sweden
- Martin Blom - Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Stefan Sveningsson - Lund University, Lund, Sweden
Considering and challenging various departures from lines of reasoning results in a book that draws upon rich empirical material and which has a number of new, provocative, critical and constructive ideas that help to develop sharper and more thoughtful thinking and practice - both in academic and practical contexts.
Suitable for leadership and organisation courses at upper-level undergraduate and upwards (including MBA-classes and Executive Education) and a thought provoking read for practitioners and management development professionals interested in leadership thought.
There are not many books on leadership that combine critical reflection, rigorous scholarship and a wide range of material. There are even fewer from authors that have actually studied leadership in situ and have something innovative to say on the topic. This book is one of those rare creatures: a treasure trove for the uninitiated and the expert alike: read it!
This book on reflexive leadership by three deeply-experienced scholars challenges the taken-for-granted assumptions and language of the leadership industry. The authors call for careful, critical thought about how to organize workplaces is a refreshing departure from the “unreflective mindlessness” that characterizes much of the celebratory literature on leadership.
Reflexive Leadership challenges you to think differently about leadership. It is a refreshing break from the shibboleths of today's leadership approaches. It challenges you to clarify what leadership is and is not--and motivates you to respond in kind. An excellent read for scholars and practitioners alike!
This is an exceptionally well written book. It takes us beyond the impossible fantasies about leadership that we so often find in the literature. Using fascinating examples throughout it offers insights that are often surprising and always useful. Highly recommended!
The book is a very good reading for students interested in a critical perspective on leadership. The book provides many real-life examples from organizations in Sweden and other countries that can be used in class for analysis of and discussion about leadership perspectives and concepts. Authors' call for thoughtfulness and reflection can help students (future leaders) in all settings think more deeply about their roles.
Reflexive leadership is needed more than ever to jointly construct meaning within rapidly evolving and transforming contexts that we see today. The way in which we consciously manage for emerging issues becomes a key practice. Towards this aim, the book provides a cornerstone of reflective engagement with the topic and will create the basis for many students, practitioners and scholars to discuss what kind of leadership we want for developing organisational and societal futures.
Sage College Publishing
