Leading Museums Today: Theory and Practice

by Martha Morris

Overview

In Leading Museums Today: Theory and Practice, readers learn about leadership theory in both for profit and nonprofit worlds and how to effectively master the role of both leader and follower. Literature from business and non-profit management as well as the insights of current thought leaders provide lessons for the reader. The book explores the reality of change in the workplace, the standards and best practices of businesses and museums, and innovative approaches to creating a nimble and responsive organization.

Topics covered include:

• Organizational structure, team-based work, and new business models are detailed.
• Working as a leader at the middle of the organization and ways to be successful in leading up are described.
• Leadership training and how individuals can be continual learners.

Case studies and profiles cover the work of university museums, children’s museums, historic sites, history, art, and multi-disciplinary museums. Each of the case studies provides personal perspectives of leadership qualities, career progression, and highlights of the transformative work at their museum.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442275331
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	04/05/2018
Series:	American Association for State and Local History
Pages:	238
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Martha Morris is associate professor emerita of museum studies at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She has over 45 years of experience in the museum field as a manager and leader. Morris has designed workshops, lectured and written on a number of topics including collections planning and management, exhibition development, leading change, museum facilities programs, museum mergers, and 21st century leadership skills. She is author of Managing People and Projects in Museums (2017) and co-author of Planning Successful Museum Building Projects (2009).

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 Organizational Leadership Defined
Chapter 3 Leadership Theory and Managing Change
Chapter 4 Contemporary Leadership Models
Chapter 5 Leadership at all Levels
Chapter 6 Leadership for the Future: Innovation
Chapter 7 Leadership Development: The Next Generation
Chapter 8 Leadership in Action: Case Studies
Appendix A Personality Assessments and Learning Styles
Appendix B Hypothetical Exercises: Leading Up
Appendix C Team Decision Making Exercise

Editorial Reviews

I like the fact in this book, Martha Morris builds on work of others both inside and outside the museum field, often offering deep explanations. Each chapter ends with discussion questions to guide personal and group reflection. This is definitely a book to be used to reflect on leadership and build leadership strengths. Noting that leadership is situational, I especially like how she addresses the various types of leadership – leading change, leadership transition, leading at all levels, and leading up. She explores the future of leadership, particularly in the areas of innovation and skills necessary to keep institutions agile and in touch with their work forces, stakeholders, and audiences.

Anne Ackerman

I like the fact in this book, Martha Morris builds on work of others both inside and outside the museum field, often offering deep explanations. Each chapter ends with discussion questions to guide personal and group reflection. This is definitely a book to be used to reflect on leadership and build leadership strengths. Noting that leadership is situational, I especially like how she addresses the various types of leadership – leading change, leadership transition, leading at all levels, and leading up. She explores the future of leadership, particularly in the areas of innovation and skills necessary to keep institutions agile and in touch with their work forces, stakeholders, and audiences.

Anne W. Ackerson

Leadership has no single definition, principle, or formula. It has multiple paths and multiple outcomes. Martha Morris canvasses not only the principles experts have written but also the paths museum leaders have taken. The applications are beyond museums.

Teng Chamchumrus