
Leadership for Sustainability
Myth, Metaphor and Narrative in Governance
Cambridge University Press
Published on 18. February 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
268 pages
978-1-009-62097-0 (ISBN)
Description
Offering a bold and original perspective, Leadership for Sustainability explores how leadership can drive meaningful sustainability transitions through local and regional governance. The authors introduce an interpretive framework developed around the concepts of myth, metaphor and narrative, revealing sustainability as a highly productive fiction - one that enables communities to observe their environment differently and envision and organize long-term futures. Through critical analysis of sustainability narratives and a careful dismantling of common leadership myths, this book uncovers the functions and roles of leadership within governance systems. This approach illuminates how leadership can foster new modes of observation, understanding, and organization that reconnect communities, governance, and the environment. Featuring a clear and concise overview of key issues, tools, concepts and contexts for the understanding of leadership for sustainability, this is an essential insight for scholars and practitioners working in sustainability, environmental issues, leadership studies, public policy, and administration.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
393 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-009-62097-0 (9781009620970)
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Kristof Van Assche | Monica Gruezmacher
Leadership for Sustainability
Myth, Metaphor and Narrative in Governance
Book
03/2026
Cambridge University Press
€112.40
Shipment within 15-20 days
Persons
Kristof Van Assche is Professor of Planning, Governance and Development at the University of Alberta. He is also affiliated with the University of the Free State in South Africa; Bonn University's Center for Development Research (ZEF) in Germany; and, in Canada, with Memorial University of Newfoundland's Harris Centre for Regional Policy and the University of Saskatchewan's Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy.
Content
Prologue; 1. Basic concepts: leadership, sustainability and governance; 2. Narratives and interpretation; 3. Metaphors and the amplification of meaning; 4. Metaphors and narratives of sustainability; 5. Five myths of sustainability leadership; 6. Leadership for sustainability; 7. Sustainability leadership and strategy; Glossary; Index.