Leadership-as-Practice: Exploring Development from in the Middle of Everywhere & in Between Everything

Abstract

Leadership-as-practice (LAP) is a recent evolution in the leadership literature that suggests leadership occurs as a practice rather than in individuals. Practice reflects what people accomplish together, the coordinated efforts among people and materials, within spaces and places. To study LAP is to be curious about how leadership emerges and unfolds through day-to-day experience (Raelin, 2016). Indeed, a practice perspective situates leadership in the middle of everywhere and in between everything. In this session, participants will (1) explore the leadership-as-practice (LAP) perspective as a contemporary/emerging lens for leadership research and practice, and (2) engage key considerations for leadership-as-practice development (LAPD) in leadership education. Presenters will share cases that illustrate current research and application within their own educational practice, and discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with this lens and approach.