
Leadership and Management
Learning from Experience
Alan Wilson(Author)
Routledge (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 29. April 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
208 pages
978-1-041-14157-0 (ISBN)
Description
Spanning a stellar career as the leader of large organisations across government, industry and education, Sir Alan Wilson has developed a deep insight into what 'actually' works in practice through the lens of systems analysis.
Leaders and managers face daily challenges but need to articulate and communicate their objectives and plans for the longer term in a complex and rapidly changing environment. In the first part, five key elements of the framework are demonstrated in successive chapters: systems and the 'big picture'; strategy; finance; structures; and integrating through 'making things work'. The second part reveals the urgent challenges that translate from the global and international through to national and local scales: climate change and sustainability, security, pandemics, and social inclusion. The evolution of technology, artificial intelligence, and data science demand stronger strategies, leadership, and management across all organisations at all scales. This book responds to this need by providing international case studies, a unique framework, and references to out-of-the-box thinking that can be applied to a variety of circumstances.
Leading and Management is a valuable resource for leaders and managers at all levels in any kind of organisation, particularly in universities, local authorities, government departments, industry, and those responsible for managing research.
Leaders and managers face daily challenges but need to articulate and communicate their objectives and plans for the longer term in a complex and rapidly changing environment. In the first part, five key elements of the framework are demonstrated in successive chapters: systems and the 'big picture'; strategy; finance; structures; and integrating through 'making things work'. The second part reveals the urgent challenges that translate from the global and international through to national and local scales: climate change and sustainability, security, pandemics, and social inclusion. The evolution of technology, artificial intelligence, and data science demand stronger strategies, leadership, and management across all organisations at all scales. This book responds to this need by providing international case studies, a unique framework, and references to out-of-the-box thinking that can be applied to a variety of circumstances.
Leading and Management is a valuable resource for leaders and managers at all levels in any kind of organisation, particularly in universities, local authorities, government departments, industry, and those responsible for managing research.
Reviews / Votes
"Alan Wilson has produced a book that focuses on solving problems based on his extensive experience in research, as a civil servant, a Vice-Chancellor and in industry. His framework provides a useful way to solve problems that commonly occur in many types of organizations."Catherine Burke, University of Southern California, USA
"A timely and insightful synthesis of systems thinking and real-world leadership practice. This is a book that bridges the academic and professional divide with rare authority."
Susan Kinnear, University of Dundee, UK
"A fascinating reflection of a personal journey in research, education, administration, public service, and entrepreneurship. It aptly shows Wilson's managerial skill and leadership in the wide spectrum of his professional engagements throughout the years. An impactful reference for many years to come."
Yee Leung, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Postgraduate and Professional Practice & Development
Illustrations
1 s/w Tabelle
1 Tables, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 233 mm
Width: 157 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
320 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-041-14157-0 (9781041141570)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Book
04/2026
1st Edition
Routledge
€230.27
Shipment within 15-20 days

E-Book
04/2026
1st Edition
Routledge
€47.49
Available for download

E-Book
04/2026
1st Edition
Routledge
€47.49
Available for download
Person
Alan Wilson has had leadership and management responsibilities in universities as a Vice-Chancellor, in the civil service as Director-General for Higher Education, as CEO of The Alan Turing Institute, and in industry as a director in spin-out companies.
Content
Preface, Chapter 1: Core concepts, Chapter 2: Pillar 1: systems, and the big picture, Chapter 3: Pillar 2: strategy, Chapter 4: Pillar 3: finance - read every line, Chapter 5: Pillar 4: structures for delivery, Chapter 6: Integration: what works?, Chapter 7: Future challenges: radical change, Annex 1. Analytics: what does management need to know?, Annex 2. Experience: employment and key publications, Annex 3. Working life: a personal memoire