Description
- Eric Guthey, The Copenhagen Business School, Denmark
'This could be the most important leadership book you have ever purchased. Underpinned by Steve Kempster's research and operationalised so well by Stewart Barnes and Sue Smith, the LEAD Programme is the shining light of British Leadership Development. Having participated in the research, and joined in the teaching, and having been a recipient of the programme, I can vouch for it - LEAD works. But here's the thing ... it is not just for SMEs.'
- Ken Parry, Deakin University, Australia
This is one of the first books to fully value and realize the connection between leadership and learning in SMEs. It provides a real-life narrative, encapsulating the development of business people on a leadership program for SME managers, whilst explaining the key theories, models and techniques that underpin the leadership methods and approaches deployed at each stage of the delegate's journey. The book follows three owner/managers over a ten-month period. Each chapter splits into two - an aesthetic narrative on the learning journey and a 'theory sandwich', which draws the reader's attention to the theories, models and debates underpinning the learning at each stage of the delegate's journey.
Academics as well as students will benefit from the research-based examination of leadership learning in the SME context, as it will allow them to stand in the shoes of owners or managers. Policy makers and practitioners will also find the narrative both revealing and informative.
About the Author
Stewart Barnes, Founder and Managing Director, QuoLux Ltd, Steve Kempster, Professor of Leadership Learning and Development, Lancaster University Management School and Sue Smith, Director, Centre for SME Development, University of Central Lancashire, UK
Reviews
'The top 50 USA corporations lose $50 billion a year through failed strategy implementation, i.e. poor leadership. Without effective leadership, even the most outstanding growth strategies will fail. But whilst no one has succeeded in defining precisely what leadership is, there are nonetheless common elements that this book has brilliantly identified in the context of SMEs. So, the two ingredients of profitable growth are: a robust, customer-centred strategy (I have never known any company go bankrupt because of poor products - they go bankrupt because of a lack of customers); and inspirational leadership. They go hand in hand...They are inseparable. I will recommend this excellent book to all my SME clients.' --Malcolm McDonald, Cranfield University School of Management, UK
'So often, leadership development programmes are dry and systematic efforts that don't engage leaders. This book, and its proven model for leadership development (LEAD), represents a new and exciting approach. It makes it clear to leaders in SMEs that leadership is an ongoing affair that can have a huge impact on the success of the enterprise. This is a major addition to the leadership literature - a must-read for scholars and practitioners alike.' --Ron Riggio, Claremont McKenna College
'I thought the book provided a thought-provoking discussion of the LEAD programme and its step-by-step approach to leadership development. These are issues that businesses face daily . . . the book contained a number of policy recommendations, including that policymakers should engage major institutions to embrace partnerships with universities and private leadership development practitioners. . . . This recommendation very much chimes with the Government's current approach to business support.' --The Right Honorable George Osborne, MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, UK
Book Information
ISBN 9781786432575
Author Stewart Barnes
Format Paperback
Page Count 288
Imprint Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd
Publisher Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd
