The Transforming Leader Honored at ILA Conference‍

11/04/2014 - The Transforming Leader: New Approaches to Leadership for the Twenty-First Century, Dr. Carol S. Pearson’s most recent book, last week was honored for making a significant contribution to the field of leadership at the 16th Annual International Leadership Association Conference in San Diego, CA. The award was presented at a ceremony and reception by the University of San Diego School of Leadership and Educational Sciences.

‍The Transforming Leader was recognized for its “original and important contribution to the field while also evidencing excellence in scholarship coupled with relevance to contemporary leadership practice in a global context.” The essays in the book, contributed by cutting-edge thinkers in a wide variety of fields, explore challenges of the 21st century and identify leadership strategies that are proven to produce transformational results. Sections of the book address transformational thinking, depth of inner work, working with and transforming groups, and transformational communication. Together, the essays provide important puzzle-pieces that create a mosaic of elements essential to success in today’s world.

The 2014 Outstanding Leadership Book Award went to Edgar H. Schein’s Humble Inquiry: The Gentle Art of Asking Instead of Telling. Dr. Pearson noted that “the wisdom contained in Edgar Schein’s book certainly will be transformational for many high level leaders today, especially coming from such a scholarly icon, and any of us can find its insights helpful to our leadership practice.” Schein is one of the founders of the field of organizational development, and “his pioneering work on organizational culture greatly influenced my archetypal approaches to diagnosing the specific cultures of organizations,” Dr. Pearson said. “Dr. Schein’s health is now fragile, so he sent his talk by video from his home. It was gratifying to see him receive this award virtually, yet with such heartfelt appreciation.”

The book grew out of a project Dr. Pearson led while she was Director of the James MacGregor Burns Academy of Leadership at the University of Maryland. Sponsored by the Fetzer Institute, the project brought together experienced leaders, leadership theorists, and others who study and teach various practices that strengthen leadership for a series of retreats and discussions designed to create a deeper understanding of leadership that transforms. Many of the discussants contributed essays to The Transforming Leader.

Copies of the book, in paper or electronic format, are available from the publisher, Berrett-Koehler, and from Amazon and other distributors.