What is this thing called leadership? Prominent Australians tell their stories

Neil C. Cranston and Lisa Catherine Ehrich

The University of Queensland and Queensland University of Technology



Leadership - we have all been part of it in some way. Many have practised it, others have researched and written about it, all of us have seen it in action at some time. Yet despite its ubiquity, there is a continuing cry that we need more and better leadership, be it in business, schools, churches, the community, or politics.

This book, rather than taking a traditional theoretical approach, lets the voices of those acknowledged as leaders across the community do the talking. These are people who live, breath and practise leadership - they make it happen.

Each of the ten leaders who speak in this book has demonstrated outstanding success in their field, such that their story is rich and informative, adding both critical and creative insights for those who seek to understand the leadership phenomenon better.

What is this thing called leadership? will be of interest to those currently holding leadership positions in their organisations, those aspiring to such positions, as well as to those studying leadership more formally, such as MBA students.

The leaders: Tim Costello, Christine Nixon, Michael Kirby, Linda Burney, Peter Doherty, Jim Soorley, Fiona Wood, Ian Kiernan, Sarina Russo, Maggi Sietsma.

About the Author

Dr Neil Cranston is an Associate Professor in the School of Education, The University of Queensland and teaches in the master's and doctoral educational leadership programs. His research interests include leadership and change, aspiring leaders, ethical dilemmas faced by leaders, the dynamics and effectiveness of senior management teams and women in leadership. He is a Fellow of the Australian College of Educators and a Fellow of the Australian Council for Educational Leaders. Dr Lisa Catherine Ehrich is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Learning and Professional Studies, Faculty of Education, at Queensland University of Technology. She teaches undergraduate, master's and doctoral students and her specialty is in the field of educational leadership and management. Other research interests include mentoring for professionals, phenomenology as a research methodology, and adult learning theory and practice.