The Value of Voice in Shared Leadership and Organizational Behavior - by Jamey M Long & Joseph A Pisani (Paperback)

About the Book

In the worlds of education and business, there is a disconnect between stakeholders, their roles and responsibilities in guiding and leading organizations in a shared leadership model. Currently, leaders have a conceptual understanding of shared leadership but lack the tools to effectively guide their staff in enacting the dynamic exchange of ideas and voice among all members of the organization to promote the development of a strategic plan focused on best outcomes.

Book Synopsis

In the world of education and business, there is a disconnect between stakeholders, their roles and responsibilities in guiding and leading organizations in a shared leadership model. Currently, leaders have a conceptual understanding of shared leadership but lack the tools to effectively guide their staff in enacting the dynamic exchange of ideas and voice among all members of the organization to promote the development of a strategic plan focused on best outcomes.

There is a disconnect between the perceived and actual value of shared leadership on affecting change in an organization / educational institution. In The Value of Voice in Shared Leadership and Organizational Behavior Jamey Long and Joseph Pisani demonstrate that the members of an organization or educational institution at any level do not possess sufficient understanding or resources related to the dynamic of shared leadership and the value of voice (VoV) in determining what is known, what the plan will be and the action(s) step(s) each is responsible for completing to form a symbiotic relationship within all levels of the organization/ educational institution.

The VoV Model will build on previous models but will improve the process by creating a duality of flow of understanding and actionable steps to create for the organization/institution its best outcomes. Previously, business and education models or structures primarily focused on a top-down leadership approach. The VoV drives the Know, Plan, Act of shared leadership in a way where the leaders can share with their staff while allowing the Know, Plan, Act of the staff to symbiotically interface through the learning of roles with all the leaders. Therefore, leaders/administration and staff/employees must learn their roles to create an enclosing symbiotic organization. Finally, the cornerstone principle of the VoV is to build a strong foundation of shared leadership and voice within the organization/institution so that all stakeholders (including students, workforce, outside businesses) can benefit from a higher quality resource due to the new cohesive mission and vision.

Review Quotes

"The Value of Voice in Shared Leadership provides a unique challenge to leaders and staff in school systems to examine the effectiveness of their current model of decision making. The focus on the power of collaboration among all stakeholders prior to implementing the decision-making process is a critical component when working toward positive organizational change in educational institutions." - Dr. Jennifer Chapman, Ed.D, Organizational Change and Leadership, Assistant Principal, Prince William County Schools, USA.

"Long and Pisani have made a major contribution to the understanding and practices of Shared Leadership. Their book provides a thorough and comprehensive analysis of the literature supporting shared leadership and the practical strategies involved in implementing this vision of organizational development. Their work will be a major resource to business, government and educational leaders who are interested in developing their organizations by redefining the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders by giving them voice." - Dr. Larry Aronstein, Superintendent of Schools (Retired), City of Glen Cove, NY Public Schools, USA.

"This book provides firsthand and eye-opening experiences at several different positions/levels from within today's business and educational systems. It is a must read for all educators, businessmen and leaders everywhere!" - Jeff Fiore, Technology Ambassador, Prince William County Schools, Liberty University, USA.

Experienced business teachers and educators, the authors highlight the value of voice (VoV) in creating a unified organizational culture with a shared vision and leadership model. The VoV consists of a collaborative, reflective environment of shared beliefs created by a dynamic exchange of ideas and voices among all organization members. The authors show that, with VoV, leaders, employees, and stakeholders can better understand their roles and work together to address the challenges and concerns of an organization. The result is more robust outcomes and action plans and, ultimately, the growth and success of the organization. --CHOICE

About the Author

Jamey M. Long is a professor at George Mason University and a business teacher at Prince William County Schools.

Joseph A. Pisani is a professor at Grand Canyon University, Marymount University and Liberty University in the Graduate School of Education and a business teacher at Prince William County Schools.