Catalytic Leadership: Strategies for an Interconnected World (J-B US non-Franchise Leadership) [Hardcover]

Jeffrey S. Luke (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 24, 1997 | ISBN-10: 0787909173 | ISBN-13: 978-0787909178 | Edition: 1st

Jeff Luke's book is simply outstanding and a must read for those public leaders interested in advancing the common good.
?John Bryson, professor of planing and public affairs in the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota and author of Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit Organizations

This groundbreaking guide presents a new kind of leadership that addresses the complex problems facing today's public leaders. These issues?such as economic development, homelessness, teen pregnancy, and many others?are interconnected in nature and have no quick fix solutions. Leaders in federal, state and local agencies must reach out beyond their boundaries to engage a much broader group of stakeholders to create sustainable strategies to address them. The catalytic leader brings together diverse individuals from multiple agencies to address interconnected public problems and work together toward solutions.

Filled with case studies, real-world examples, and many other hands-on resources, Catalytic Leadership is written for the true public leaders?citizens from all walks of life, working together to tackle the toughest public problems.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Jeff Luke's book is simply outstanding and a must read for those public leaders interested in advancing the common good." --?John Bryson, professor of planning and public affairs in the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota and author of Strategic Planning for Public and Nonprofit Organizations

"This is a must read for anyone interested in having a positive impact on the future of his or her community." --?Randall Franke, Commissioner, Marion County, Oregon

"Jeff Luke has courageously taken on describing in depth what it takes to make progress in an interconnected world. He has done it by recognizing that the new complex stew of theory, practice, and personal skills are what policy makers need for success. Jeff Luke is a keen observer and thoughtful commentator on leadership for the next century." --?Beverly Stein, chair and chief executive, Multnomah County Board of Commissioners

From the Inside Flap

The complex challenges facing today's public leaders?economic development homelessness, teen pregnancy, and many others?have no quick-fix solutions. Interconnected in nature, with an impact on virtually every segment of society, these issues require that leaders in federal, state, and local agencies reach out beyond their boundaries to engage a much broader group of stakeholders to create sustainable strategies to address them.[ital]Catalytic Leadership presents a new kind of leadership that is more successful with these complex, interconnected problems. Effective public leaders act as catalysts who convene multiple stakeholder groups, facilitate and mediate agreements around tough issues, think systemically and strategically about sustainable actions. They are passionate about reaching a particular outcome yet remain flexible and inclusive on specific strategies to reach the desired results.In contrast to traditional leadership, which is based on hierarchical authority, taking charge and "seizing the reins," the catalytic leader is an elected official, appointed public manager, civic leader, or community volunteer who brings together diverse individuals from multiple agencies to address interconnected public problems and work together toward solutions.Handling societal problems in this interconnected world requires unusual and dynamic partnerships between government agencies, nonprofit service providers, business enterprises, neighborhood groups, and educational institutions. This groundbreaking guide shows public leaders how to pull together business, civic and nonprofit leaders to address critical issues and create innovative strategies for change.Filled with case studies, real-world examples, and many other hands-on resources, Catalytic Leadership is written for the true public leaders?citizens from all walks of life, working together to tackle the toughest public problems.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 275 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1st edition (October 24, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787909173
• ISBN-13: 978-0787909178
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,173,251 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Catalytic Leadership, June 5, 2009

By 

Grant P. Herman (Northland College, Ashland, WI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Catalytic Leadership: Strategies for an Interconnected World (J-B US non-Franchise Leadership) (Hardcover)

The concepts and points contained in Luke's Catalytic Leadership are outstanding. I think he has his finger on the pulse of the type(s) of leadership that are truly effective in a public forum - so different from organizational leadership. If he would have said what he said in about 100 pages instead of 250, this would be a great book for sure. Instead one has to wade through far too many examples, and very small nuances of the same point to keep one going. I taught a course last winter (Leadership in Groups and Agencies)using this text and the students kept wanting to abandon the text because it was far too verbose to be truly effective. It was shame really because his point are so useful and applicable. Now I think of it as a reference rather than a text.

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid and inspring work, August 6, 2007

By 

John N. Morgan - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Catalytic Leadership: Strategies for an Interconnected World (J-B US non-Franchise Leadership) (Hardcover)

Dr. Luke captures practical and realistic models for leadership based on what works. This is a great work for someone who is looking for insight into how to lead within a community of interest when the issues and challenges are multi-faceted and not clearly solvable by only one person or group, which is most of the situations in our communities today.