Editors’ Notes

Abstract

The purpose of this sourcebook is to explore the intersection of adult learning and collaborative leadership. With the notable exception of Clover, Butterwick, and Collins' (2016) compilation titled Women, Adult Education, and Leadership in Canada, little has been written about the possibilities for learning when adults engage in collaborative approaches to leadership. Drawing from scholarship related both to collaborative leadership (e.g., Chrislip, 2002; Chrislip & Larson, 1994; Crevani, Lindgren, & Packendorff, 2007) and to adult education and learning, this sourcebook weaves theory with practice by showcasing real-life examples of collaborative leadership. The term leadership is, as Grint (2005) suggested, an essentially contested concept, with a plethora of literature written in its name yet very little agreement about what leadership means. Although the traditional idea of an individual, charismatic, often male, heroic leader (Carlyle, 1841) remains a popular stereotype, current scholarship and practice tell us that leadership takes many forms, with an increasing focus on collaboration (Raelin, 2016). By attending to the adult learning that takes place through more collaborative approaches to leadership, this collection draws upon scholars who understand leadership as emergent (