Conceptual issues in leadership development

CONCEPTUAL ISSUES IN LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT - INTERPRETING THE STORY

Revised version of an article first appearing in

Journal of Jewish Educational Research, Volume 6, January 2000

In its recognition of organisational leadership as an essential pre-requisite for future effectiveness, and even survival, the Jewish community is reflecting a perception that is common across all sectors of society.  The Jewish community expresses this perspective through:

·                    an awareness that Jewish voluntary organisations are going through a period of considerable pressure as a result of internal and external changes in the environment,

·                    an awareness that 'leadership' is a much discussed and much sought after characteristic in the Jewish voluntary sector,

·                    an awareness of the limitations of current provision for leadership development in the Jewish voluntary sector.

In this article the author explores a familiar paradox. We are apparently able to describe aspects of leadership - sometimes at great length and very convincingly.  But we seem unable to find ways to apply this knowledge in formal educational programmes in ways that make a measurable difference.  Moving beyond ‘scientific’ explanations of leadership to a deeper understanding through narrative and the interpretation of lived experience offers a new approach to leadership development.