Senior Lecturer, Executive Development, Massey University
My research interest is leadership discourse and practice which I tackle from a critical/Foucauldian perspective. I seek to highlight the problematic expectations commonly held of leaders and leadership, showing how these often entail expectations of perfection and omnipotence as well as an undervaluing of those not in leadership roles. Arising from such critique I aim to develop new ways of conceptualizing and practicing leadership, in which the vital influence of context is also acknowledged. My PhD won 2 international prizes (Academy of Management Best Thesis, Critical Management Studies Division, 2014; Jablin Dissertation Award, International Leadership Association, 2014).
Most of my career is as a management practitioner and I have held senior roles in the public and state owned sectors, such as General Manager, HR, New Zealand Post and Deputy Commissioner, People Capability, State Services Commission and I have worked as an executive coach for many years.
I teach leadership, teamwork and other people related topics as part of Massey's Executive MBA and MBA programmes.
My major publications to date can be found at:
http://www.e-elgar.com/shop/thinking-differently-about-leadership
https://www.routledge.com/Revitalising-Leadership-Putting-Theory-and-Practice-into-Context-1st/Wilson-Cummings-Jackson-Proctor-Thomson/p/book/9781138920040
https://www.routledge.com/After-Leadership/Carroll-Firth-Wilson/p/book/9781138087811
What makes a good political leader – and how can we tell before voting?
Oct 12, 2023 07:22 am UTC| Insights & Views Politics
For many people, voting is not just a right, its an act of civic duty. Even more than that, some voters base their decisions on what they believe best serves society as a whole, not what might personally advantage...
Romantic heroes or ‘one of us’ – how we judge political leaders is rarely objective or rational
Oct 09, 2023 12:52 pm UTC| Insights & Views Politics
Given the presidential style of modern politics, the intense media focus on party leaders is unavoidable. But this involves a degree of artifice. New Zealanders dont vote directly for a prime minister, they vote for their...