The purpose of this book is to not only persuade leaders that action research is leadership, but that leadership can be more deliberate in promoting human dignity when leaders engage in a reflective process of continuous improvement.

An action research frame of mind is the impetus for efforts toward continuous improvement -- dissatisfaction with what is the beginning of improvement! The caveat is that leadership is not a position, leadership is action. Those who want to make their work better, their service better, their clients, customers, stakeholders, children, or students better -- are leaders, with or without a bureaucratic or hierarchical position.

Professional leadership, executive leadership, company leadership, and everyday leadership requires action and reflection on those actions to determine the effectiveness of the continuous improvement process.

The rationale for this book is to provide leaders at all levels with a framework that progresses through six steps of action and research from considering the challenge faced by the leader within an organization to reflecting on the improvement and next steps to continue the improvement process - thusLeading Up: From Problem to Possibility.

Mary Ann Jacobs, scc is an associate professor in education and leadership at Manhattan College, Bronx, NY.

Remigia Kushner, csj is a professor of education and the director of educational leadership in the Graduate Education Program at Manhattan College, Bronx, NY.

Preface

Introduction

Part I Leadership is

Chapter 1- From Problems to Possibilities

Chapter 2 Transformational Leadership

Chapter 3 - Group Efficacy: All of Us is Smarter Than One of Us

Chapter 4 - Continuous Improvement

Chapter 5 - Organizational Transformation

Part II Action Research Is Leadership

Chapter 6 - Action Research: Leadership in Action

Chapter 7 - LOOK at the Problem

Chapter 8 - EXAMINING Whats Known

Chapter 9 - ACQUIRING New Knowledge and Methods for Handling the Problems

Chapter 10 - DEVISING A PLAN

Chapter 11 - EXECUTING-EVALUATING the PLAN: How to Start Smart and End Smart

Chapter 12 - REPEATING the Steps as Needed

Part III Practical Application of L.E.A.D.E.R. for Leaders

Chapter 13 - Where to Start?

Chapter 14 - What Comes Next?

About the author