Making a difference: Opportunities and challenges for critical leadership studies

Bolden, Richard

Abstract

Critical Leadership Studies (CLS) is founded on the premise that the leader-centrism that characterises traditional approaches to leadership theory, practice and development constrains the ability to work in more inclusive, collaborative and sustainable ways. In this chapter I draw on my experiences of applied leadership research in a range of contexts to shed light on the opportunities and challenges of ‘making a difference’ whilst retaining a critical edge. In so doing, I identify a range of practices that have informed my work, including (1) surfacing power and identity dynamics through evaluation; (2) framing research as a catalyst for debate and enquiry; (3) engaging with lived experience to promote collaborative critical enquiry; and (4) helping to facilitate systems change. Together, these practices have provided insights into both the research process and how this can inform and influence leadership and management policy and practice. Despite a range of pressures that may discourage academics from doing work that falls outside the typical focus on high-ranked publications and tightly bound research projects, in the face of growing social, environmental and economic crises I suggest that critical scholars could do more to engage with those in positions of power and influence to help mobilise ‘socially constructive’ change.

Citation

Bolden, R. (2024). Making a difference: Opportunities and challenges for critical leadership studies. In O. Smolović-Jones, S. Wilson, H. Liu, & D. Knights (Eds.), Routledge Critical Companion to Leadership Studies. Taylor & Francis (Routledge)

• Acceptance Date: Jun 12, 2023
• Online Publication Date: May 24, 2024
• Publication Date: May 24, 2024
• Deposit Date: Jun 29, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 25, 2025
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
• Book Title: Routledge Critical Companion to Leadership Studies
• ISBN: 9781032425153
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10896636
• Publisher URL: https://www.routledge.com/The-Routledge-Critical-Companion-to-Leadership-Studies/Knights-Liu-Smolovic-Jones-Wilson/p/book/9781032425153