Responsible Leadership : Realism and Romanticism

This book argues that it is time for a new understanding of leadership, which looks behind the overvalued, heroic leadership notion towards a new ideal. The aim is to re-introduce a romanticized rhetoric and situate it within current discourses of authentic, distributed and ethical leadership where societal, economic and environmental challenges require us to collectively take the lead in moving towards doing good and growing well. Combining the insights of leading academics and with those of practitioners in the field, this book is essential reading for all those operating or researching in the field of leadership, particularly those who realize the overwhelming challenges of sustainability, and corporate and social responsibility which the world now faces.

It is time for the development of a new kind of business leadership. Global needs call for a revision of market capitalism and a move towards moral capitalism; a move "from value to values, from shareholders to stakeholders, and from balance sheets to balanced development" (Kofi Annan).

With the challenge of this transition in mind, this book argues that it is time for a new understanding of leadership, a new romanticism which looks behind the overvalued, heroic leadership notion. The editors explore a romanticized rhetoric and situate it within current discourses of authentic, distributed and ethical leadership, where societal, economic and environmental challenges require us to take a collective lead towards doing good and growing well.

Exploring this dichotomy of romantic ideal and essential requirement, this book combines the insights of leading academics and with those of practitioners in the field. Thought-provoking and engaging it will challenge both thinking and practice, and is essential reading for all those operating or researching in the field of leadership, particularly those who realize the overwhelming challenges of sustainability, and corporate social responsibility which the world now faces.