Lead from Where You Are - (Work in Progress) by Peter Stephenson & Richard Bolden (Paperback)

About the Book

Learn how to build influence, communicate with purpose and lead confidently, whatever your role.

Book Synopsis

When you've just entered the workforce, understanding how leadership works and how you can contribute to it can be a challenge.

Lead from Where You Are is a practical guide to leadership for those at an early stage of their career. It will show you how to have a positive influence no matter the level you're working at, help you understand the power structures you will be operating in and explain what leadership looks like in different organizations.

Throughout, this book makes the point that leadership is a collective process that is contributed to by everyone in a company. Once you've finished, you'll understand how you can take part in this process from your junior position in the workplace.

You don't have to have it all figured out. Work in Progress is a series for anyone building confidence at work, whether you're stepping into a new role, switching paths or figuring things out as you go. These books help you build essential skills like speaking up, navigating setbacks and working with mentors, all without the pressure. Straightforward and practical, they make sense of the things no one teaches you, like what "professional" actually looks like. No jargon. Just real advice to help you grow with confidence, at your own pace. Because learning how to work is part of the job.

Review Quotes

"At the heart of this book is a very powerful message. The work of leadership is a lifelong endeavor. It's not enough to learn the concepts; you must put them into practice, reflect deeply on the results, adapt as needed, and repeat the process. Throughout the journey, you are open to learning from and with others."-- "Scott J. Allen, Instructor at SMU Cox School of Business and Host of Practical Wisdom for Leaders Podcast"

"Lead From Where You Are is a relatively short and wonderfully practical book that may inspire managers to consider a variety of academic insights in order to probe their identities, become sensitive to the workings of discourse, read organizational politics, critically examine the dark side of leadership, and grasp cultural dynamics. Considering leadership as a dynamic, context-specific, collective, communicative practice, it consistently combines recognising the complexity of leadership practices and rendering that complexity accessible. In the field of leadership, this book stands out for being practical, insightful and thought-provoking."-- "Sierk Ybema, Professor of Organisation Studies, Vrije University, Amsterdam"

"Lead From Where You Are takes a deliberate step away from alienating philosophies towards digestible, real-world applications of leadership theory. Stephenson & Bolden spark a light of curiosity which demands consideration far beyond working life; it proves that leadership is not the exclusive province of the gilded minority. Empowering and liberating in equal measure, this book teaches us that becoming a great leader can only begin with the self."-- "Ella Gaskin, Data Management Lead, JP Morgan"

"An insightful guide for anyone seeking to deepen their leadership practice and cultivate the mindset and culture needed to build high-performing, purpose-driven teams that consistently add meaningful value to their organisations and communities, supporting leaders on their lifelong journey of growth."-- "Clinton Bixter, Director, Babcock International Group"

"If you thought we didn't need another book about leadership, think again. Taking a firm stance in the everyday lived experience of leadership, Stephenson and Bolden provide a theoretically insightful yet practical guide to how leadership can actually be accomplished. A mandatory read for students and practitioners of leadership alike."-- "Johan Alvehus, Professor, Lund University"

"In a world where real leadership is required more than ever, this book provides a reflective, considered and actionable way to understand and practice leadership - from where you are right now. The authors convey complex concepts in accessible ways and allow readers to engage positively with the challenges and opportunities that leadership represents. I couldn't recommend it more highly."-- "Joanne Murphy, Professor of Inclusive Leadership, Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham"

"Lead From Where You Are combines a wealth of academic theory, relatable research material and real-world examples that have shaped the world over the last three decades into a truly compelling leadership handbook. It's extremely refreshing to read something so insightful and, simply, useful!"-- "Jess Quantrill, Cyber Security and Governance Director, Openreach"

"Stephenson and Bolden take an accessible, user-friendly approach to leadership and demonstrate how it can be practiced at any level, regardless of one's formal title. Rich with real-world examples, this book illuminates the leadership journey in ways that will resonate wherever you are in your career."-- "Cynthia Cherrey, President & CEO, International Leadership Association"

"This book is a breath of fresh air. It feels genuinely new - accessible without ever being simplistic, and wonderfully free of the usual leadership pretence. What I admire most is how it strips away the mythology of leadership and shows it as something real, human and attainable."-- "Wilsey Mockett, European Talent Director, Panasonic"

About the Author

Dr. Peter Stephenson is Lecturer in Leadership and Management at the University of Exeter Business School. Prior to commencing his academic career Peter had a career in a commerce and as an entrepreneur founding and successfully exiting two businesses. With a passion for the practical applicability of leadership Peter's research is centred around the perspective that leadership is a collective phenomenon. The influence of communicative processes, internal and external influences, power dynamics, and a nuanced consideration of ethics have all been a part of Peter's research to date. He is based in Exeter, UK.

Dr. Richard Bolden is Professor of Leadership and Management and Director of Bristol Leadership and Change Centre at Bristol Business School, University of the West of England. His teaching and research explore the interface between individual and collective approaches to leadership and leadership development. He has published widely on topics including distributed, shared and systems leadership; leadership paradoxes and complexity; cross-cultural leadership; and leadership and change in healthcare and higher education. He is Associate Editor of the journal Leadership, Fellow of the International Leadership Association, Visiting Professor at the University of Pretoria and Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. He is based in Bristol, UK.