Beyond Authority: Leadership in a Changing World

by Julia Middleton

Through compelling ideas and examples, Beyond Authority argues that new leaders need to be confident to legitimise themselves and challenge old ways. They need to develop a leadership style that enables them to lead beyond the traditional boundaries and constraints of their organizations.

183 pages, Hardcover

First published January 15, 2007

About the author

Julia Middleton is the founder and Chief Executive of Common Purpose Charitable Trust. She is passionate about helping people to develop as leaders, and campaigns to encourage leaders from all backgrounds to make an active and tangible contribution to their communities and to wider society.

In the autumn of 1988, Julia formed Common Purpose, a not-for-profit social enterprise. Common Purpose runs leadership development programmes that enable people from different backgrounds, sectors and geographies to work together to solve common problems. In the process, it gives participants the inspiration, skills and connections to become better leaders, both at work and in society.

Common Purpose runs local courses for leaders in cities across the world, and global programmes for leaders from over 100 countries across six continents. Each year, 4,000 leaders become Common Purpose alumni.

Julia has helped in the founding of: Demos (an independent think tank), Impetus Trust (developing venture philanthropy in the UK) and was also involved in the founding of The Media Standards Trust (fostering high standards in the news media) and Alfanar (developing venture philanthropy in the Arab world) and is now on the board of both. She is also on the International Advisory Council for Fundação Dom Cabral (a non-profit business institution in Brazil).

Julia was born in London and educated at French Lycées around the world. She worked for the Industrial Society after receiving an economics degree from the London School of Economics. She is married and has five children.

Julia is the author of the bestselling book Beyond Authority: Leadership in a Changing World and her latest book CQ: The competitive edge for leaders crossing borders will be published on 22 May 2014. Julia defines Cultural Intelligence (CQ) as “the ability to cross divides and thrive in multiple cultures”.

Reviews

[Alan Fricker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ended up reading it twice having lost the thread and left it too long. Some useful stuff but perhaps aimed at a more senior audience

[R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another leadership book. Inevitably it's also a vehicle for the author's views, some of which people may not share.

[Danny Webster.]

(Bloody work)

[Laura Dawson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Principles are sound but interspersed with views that not all may agree with.

[Helen-marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great little book! Packed full of useful and relevant topical issues. Def Worth a couple of hours of your time.