How might imperialist, masculinist and white supremacist grips on leadership be loosened? In this thought-provoking and accessible new study, Helena Liu suggests that anti-racist feminism can challenge conventional models and practices of power.

Combining a critical review of leadership theory with enlightening examples from around the world, the book shows how the intellectual and activist elements of feminist movements provide antidotes to contemporary leadership research and practice. For those interested in management, organisation, feminism, race and many more studies, it sets the agenda for a radical reimagining of control and leadership in all its forms.

“… carefully, thoughtfully, evocatively and elegantly illuminates profound problems facing leadership theory and practice and offers powerful strategies for addressing those problems.” Management Learning, Suze Wilson

"This is a substantial piece of work... The book is a reminder of how important it is for critical scholars to reach out and engage in activities of change." Gender, Work & Organization

“Liu’s publication presents a highly recommended and hopeful read for all who wish to practise true allyship and urgently free leadership from the confines of oppression.” LSE Review of Books

"... (There) are four options for resistance against the structural violence that governs university and corporate leadership. It all starts with decolonizing one’s mind or what might also be called “A Short Course in Intellectual Self-Defense – Find your inner Chomsky“. Secondly, find non-abusive and non-violent ways of relating to other people while trying to escape the pathological nightmare of Managerialism that governs our workplaces. Thirdly, re-imaging social meaning beyond the myths of leadership; and fourthly, read Helena Liu’s exquisite book, "Redeeming Leadership." Counterpunch

“Helena Liu writes an incisive critique of whiteness and anti-woman scholarship while articulating a stirring call for change in the way we think about, practice and research Leadership. A must-read for any scholar seriously engaging with Leadership.” Sadhvi Dar, Queen Mary University of London

Helena Liu is Senior Lecturer at UTS Business School, Australia. Central to her work is the critique of how imperialism, white supremacy, capitalism and patriarchy sustain our enduring romance with leadership.

Introduction

Part I: The Violences of Leadership

Dominance

Purity

Destruction

Salvation

Part II: Anti- Racist Feminist Redemption

Anti-Racist Feminisms

Undoing Leadership

White Allyship

Restoration

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