'This book is a winner. It bridges the gaps between leaders, leadership scholars and leadership development practitioners to introduce an exciting new model for how they can learn both from and with each other to develop effective leadership in SMEs. Blending practitioners' narratives, detailed accounts of their development process and a healthy platter of 'theory sandwiches', the book brings academic theory alive for practitioners and highlights the theoretical significance of small business leadership experience.'
- Eric Guthey, The Copenhagen Business School, Denmark
'This could be the most important leadership book you have ever purchased. Underpinned by Steve Kempster's research and operationalised so well by Stewart Barnes and Sue Smith, the LEAD Programme is the shining light of British Leadership Development. Having participated in the research, and joined in the teaching, and having been a recipient of the programme, I can vouch for it - LEAD works. But here's the thing ... it is not just for SMEs.'
- Ken Parry, Deakin University, Australia
This is one of the first books to fully value and realize the connection between leadership and learning in SMEs. It provides a real-life narrative, encapsulating the development of business people on a leadership program for SME managers, whilst explaining the key theories, models and techniques that underpin the leadership methods and approaches deployed at each stage of the delegate's journey. The book follows three owner/managers over a ten-month period. Each chapter splits into two - an aesthetic narrative on the learning journey and a 'theory sandwich', which draws the reader's attention to the theories, models and debates underpinning the learning at each stage of the delegate's journey.
Academics as well as students will benefit from the research-based examination of leadership learning in the SME context, as it will allow them to stand in the shoes of owners or managers. Policy makers and practitioners will also find the narrative both revealing and informative.
