Learning as a Way of Leading: Lessons from the Struggle for Social Justice (Jossey-Bass Higher and Adult Education

by Stephen Preskill, Stephen D. Brookfield

This book offers a systematic look at the connections between learning and leading and the use of learning to inspire and organize for change. It explores two interrelated dimensions of learning leadership: the ways leaders themselves learn about leadership practice, and the way leaders foster the learning of those they work with. The book focuses on a number of important leadership activities and adopts a case study approach to illuminate how leaders themselves learn, how they impart knowledge to others, and how they support others in becoming more effective and enduring learners.

Genres: Education, Leadership, Social Justice, Nonfiction, Grad School

272 pages, Hardcover

First published November 17, 2008

Reviews

[Ilana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really insightful book.

[Mykalia Reiter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was assigned for class. It was okay. Repetitive.. felt a bit one sided although I liked the sentiment and overall ideal.

[Donald Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I count it a new staple. My book of the year!

[Davenportscouch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writing is a bit dry and repetitive, but the concepts have great value! Recommend for anyone, not just those in "formal" leadership positions.

[Amy Aldridge · Rating 3 out of 5]

It started out great, but then the authors started to repeat the material. I should have stopped reading at the end of Chapter 4.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this topic for the leadership section of my research but other than broad leadership lessons, it is too specific for what I am after.

[Andrea Frankenfeld · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for grad school. There were some good takeaways and I enjoyed learning about this perspective on leadership.

[Lance Eaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Preskill and Brookfield examine the concept of leadership and reframe successful and meaningful leadership as a means and willingness to learn. They then explore how that frame of leader as learner plays out in different ways of learning (learning by asking others, learning by critical self-reflection, learning by sharing responsibilities and power, etc), the challenges with each way, and an iconic leader that has embraced that way. While the book's main chapters can feel formulaic, the ideas are still powerful and I appreciated their different approach to leading. For those in higher education, the merits of this book are perfect but even beyond that, I think that if a leader were to reframe his or her work as an active learner, it might mean more positive changes within organizations and communities as it creates more possibility for leaders to change or adjust their views rather than mindless holding fast. For those interested in rethinking their leadership style or thinking about how their learning might be extended into the realm of leadership, this is a great read.

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is a very important book to read for students looking to be educators, especially in a multicultural environment. This was one of the first education books I read and was one of the first books to make me wholly reconsider the times and lives of my peers and of students beside me from completely different backgrounds. I remember having some great conversations with my classmates about this book in my sophomore year and would recommend it to professors in the education/ sociology fields.

[Drick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book approaches leadership from the standpoint of learning, and profiles exemplary leaders in the the area of social justice. The value of this book is the breakdown of learning skills, and the perspective of leadership as serving and empowering others. Also the profiles of various leaders related to specirfic skills, while somewhat contrived, is very helpful, as it showed social justice leadership in action. The co-author of this book is Stephen Brookfield, a renowned adult educator.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on leadership through a social justice lens. I enjoyed reading about leaders I have not previously been exposed to due to hegemony's stain. This was a quick read that still helped bolster my views on how best to practice leadership. Everyone intersted in leadership will be well served to read this book.

[Ryan Greer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like I am somehow critiquing social justice by only giving this book two stars. I'm not. But I didn't think this book was all that interesting. It felt more like a textbook disguised with an attractive cover than any sort of narrative approach to learning and leadership. I supposed there's nothing wrong with that, but I just didn't find this "illuminating" book all that illuminating.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good at highlighting overlooked leaders, mainly in the struggle for civil rights in the United States. I like its focus on collaborative leadership, a refreshing change from the status quo of hierarchical, androcentric, charismatic leadership literature.

[Ebony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great teaching tool/primer for engaging students in the leadership points/styles and learning opportunities inherent in the social change movement.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Preskill & Brookfield use examples from the fight for civil rights to describe their "nine tasks" of a leader. Great examples and ideas.

[Mills College Library]

371.2 B8726 2009