'Essential reading and a powerful tool for emerging early childhood leaders.' - Catharine Hydon, Early Childhood Consultant

JILLIAN RODD had a long career as a senior academic at the University of Melbourne Australia and later at the University of Plymouth England. At present, she works as an independent educational consultant, specialising in aspects of leadership in educational organisations, especially early childhood services. Her current interests focus upon the culture, practice and development of professional leadership and leading complex change in educational services. She lives in Bristol and far west Cornwall.

Introduction; Part I: Deconstructing Leadership - 1 Unravelling leadership in early childhood 2 The personal qualities of leaders in early childhood 3 Theories, models and styles of leadership. Part II: Leadership in Practice - 4 Leading through communication: Meeting others' needs 5 Leading through communication: Meeting personal needs 6 Leading conflict resolution: From discord to accord 7 Leading decision-making: Transforming vision into action 8 Leading collaboratively: Cultivating collective responsibility 9 Leading professional development: Supervision, mentoring and coaching 10 Leading in changing times. Part III: Special Responsibilities of Early Childhood Leaders - 11 Leading research: Moving quality forward 12 Leading partnerships: Engaging families and communities 13 Leading ethical practice 14 Leading for succession: Building leadership capacity 15 Postscript.