A. Introduction to Excellence in management and leadership

Welcome to our study of leadership and management. The journey we are about to undertake will involve exciting insights and frustrating ambiguity. The reason for this is the very nature of the subject. Any study of leadership usually start one of two ways, a fixed and set approach to the topic predicated on a single unambiguous definition, or a statement recognising the subject cannot be simply defined. As an applied and academic study we will definitely fall into the second approach.

We will provide information and learning that can assist you improve how you manage and lead. However, the style and approach that will work best for you, in your given context, must be decided by you.

While we will not limit our examination of leadership to any one set of theories or writings.

Leadership has excited much thought, research, discussion, writing, and learning responses. Much of this study has been completed by authors who are drawn from multiple fields of academic endeavour, occupations or disciplines. The cross-disciplinary nature of leadership has meant psychologists, organisational theorists, knowledge and organisational design theorists, scientists, educators and more have all presented opinions and models on leadership. The fact the debate continue and is intensifying, suggests that we have not resolved two questions that are fundamental to this course - "What is leadership?" and "What constitutes an effective manager". Its also a recognition that while contemporary authors purport existing leadership and management models are inadequate or of limited relevance to developing the modern leader - manager, it is impossible to divorce the contemporary study from its historical roots.

This induction to our study will set the scene for our study of leadership for the new manager and leader. This theme will outline different styles of leadership, what makes an effective manager, how to manage priorities and time, the importance of having a personal career and development plan, and the current context within which you will be managing.

Our goal in this chapter is to ensure you think about the concept of leadership and management as a source of contentious debate that has spaned centuries. A debate that occurs because it is so important a subject to individuals, organisations and societies.