Contours Of Great Leadership: The Science, Art, And Wisdom Of Outstanding Practice,Used

Product Description A contour is usually defined as an outline or the structure or characteristic of something. A contour line which is shown on a contour map indicates points of elevation. We think that all of these definitions fit Contours of Great Leadership.This book brings together many aspects of concepts and theories of leadership. It is an amalgam of ideas from the social sciences and the humanities woven together in the idea of leadership as an accoutrement, that is, a deliberate woven garment comprising science, art, experience, and craft knowledge. Thus we see leadership not as either/or an art or a science; or craft knowledge vs. scientific or research based knowledge, but rather as all of them combined and which occurs between followers and leaders within distinctive cultures and modes of communication. The importance of context and culture as the milieu in which leadership is acquired and learned is critical. In the end leadership is a performing art form, which while it can be studied scientifically, cannot be understood solely as a science without connecting it to the arts and ultimately to practice. Review The authors of this book have taken a holistic view of school leadership as a twentyfirst century approach to leading schools. Leadership is presented as an individualized approach that requires operationalizingand meshingones skills with the educational system in a symbiotic relationship. How one gains insight and understanding about ones role and impact as a leader is a valuable contribution to the field of educational leadership preparation. James Berry, executive director, National Council of Professors of Educational Administration and Professor of Educational Leadership, Eastern Michigan UniversityPapa and her coauthors have done a thorough job of helping readers understand with depth and clarity how leadership is both science and art. This book reveals creative considerations of leadership as resting on the deliberate act of converging experiences, knowledge, values, and skills into ways of knowing that result in the rare phenomenon of great leadership. This central concept, known as accoutering, is considered with elegance and accessibility. This book is a must read for those interested in the study of leadership and leadership preparation. In sum, I found myself haunted and inspired by the ideas and possibilities offered by the authors. Dr. Autumn Cypres, director, of The Center for Educational Leadership, The University of TennesseeIn this timely book on relational leadership in the educational system, leading Endowed Chair Professors, Rosemary Papa and Fenwick English along with coauthors Davidson, Culver and Brown challenge readers to ask, What does it take to become an exceptional leader?The authors advance that a socially and culturally constructed community of practice, comprised of knowledge, skills and values frames the context that characterizes notable leadership. However, professional training is second only to the most critical knowledge, which begins with self. More than being a professionally trained individual, great leaders reach out to cocreate with others. They are collaborators. The authors posit that educational leaders need to reach a distinguished level in their work, achieved when they refine their skills and serve as beacons in the field. In their book, that reads like an inspiring story of leadership, aspiring as well as seasoned leaders will discover empowering lessons to build human capital in their communities. Concha Delgado Gaitan, Ph.D., educational researcher and author About the Author Dr. Rosemary Papa currently serves as The Del and Jewel Lewis Endowed Chair in Learning Centered Leadership and Professor of Educational Leadership in the College of Education at Northern Arizona University a position she has held since 2007. Her record of publications includes twelve books as author or coauthor, numerous book chapters,