Imperfect Leadership: A book for leaders who know they don't know it all

by Steve Munby

In 'Imperfect A book for leaders who know they don't know it all', Steve Munby eloquently reflects upon and describes a leadership approach that is strong on self-awareness and positive about the importance of asking for help. Foreword by Michael Fullan. When asked to describe his own leadership style, Steve uses the word imperfect . This is not something he apologises for; he feels imperfect leadership should be celebrated. Too often we are given examples of leaders who are put on some kind of pedestal, lauded as superheroes who have it all worked out and are so good at what they do that nobody else can come close. This book is the antidote to that flawed perception. 'Imperfect Leadership' is an honest reflection upon leadership. It is about Steve's journey, covering his highs and lows and, ultimately, how he learned to refine and improve his leadership. It is about messy, trial-and-error, butterflies-in-the-stomach leadership and about thoughtful and invitational leadership and the positive impact it can have. At the heart of the book are edited highlights of the 12 keynote speeches delivered to increasingly large audiences of school leaders between 2005 and 2017. These speeches, delivered at the Seizing Success and Inspiring Leadership conferences, form the structure around which Steve's story and insights are wrapped. Steve's account covers some fundamental shifts in the English education system over this 12-year period and describes how school leaders altered their leadership as this context changed. Furthermore, it delves into how his own leadership developed as his personal context changed, and explores how the notion that a leader needs to be good at all aspects of leadership is not only unrealistic, but is also bad for the mental and physical health of leaders and will do nothing to attract new people into leadership positions. Ultimately, Steve hopes that as you read this book you will see the value of imperfect leadership and of the positive impact it can make. For those reading it who have yet to step up into leadership, his sincere wish is that it will encourage and empower aspirational leaders rather than discourage them. Suitable for all those in or aspiring to leadership positions in education.

Genres: Leadership

320 pages, Hardcover

Published July 5, 2019

Reviews

[V Narayanan · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Book is boring …

Simple common sense concepts made with a story of school management … in a very dry way
Had the author mentioned how he touched the lifes of children and teacher and what transformation they are feeling as a story way … I would have appreciated the book.

Too dry and boring

Concepts:
1) Ask for help — be humble, open and curious
2) Be Radical - think about the utility and results more than process
3) Collaborate - ensure that you have a win-win mindset and educate people around you to have it
4) Be Systematic - Go with an unbeatable process flow
5) Be Authentic - show your truth, reliability and vulnerability
6) Move With Time - Whenever time and situation changes, we need to let go of our pasts and move with the time
7) Resonate with People — Speak the real needs of the people before they speak it out and then resonate with them once more
8) Be Tough and Compassionate at the same time
9) Be ready to start over again if needed
10) Do not hide bad news, accept failure, own the responsibility and move ahead
11) Praise others and be gracious and strive for continuous improvement

These 11 Points are explained by the author in the most possible dry manner ….

I loved Pencils of Promise as I could feel the emotional transformation, joy of helping a child to learn and get educated… This book came as a suggestion from Kindle … but reading was very difficult and dragging.

[Richard Dyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good insight into the development of the National College and CfBT. If you are expecting a manual on leadership or a theoretically grounded book, then this isn’t it. What it does contain is wisdom, gained though reflection and humility. As the great and apocryphal prof once said, having visited a school, “This is highly effective. Now I must go back to the university and see if it works in theory.”
Worth mining for gems. An easy read.

[Andrew May · Rating 2 out of 5]

More of a story of the National College than a guide to improve your leadership. Not to say that there isn't any inspiration to be gleamed from it, there is, just not enough. It's an easy read though.