A fascinating guide to effective leadership in times of crises, with a psychological underpinning that provides both context and practical advice.

Whether planned or unexpected, change can present leaders with some of their toughest sustained challenges, regardless of seniority or the organisation's size. In A Question of Leadership, Keith Leslie provides a wide range of illustrative case studies derived from both research and his first-hand experience in the public and private sectors. They are united by an overarching thesis: the failure of many change initiatives is caused by the leader's inability to fully consider the consequences and magnitude of the situation. Across business and society, the prevalence and impacts of such short-sighted mistakes has become more apparent than ever following the onset of the Covid pandemic in 2020.

Each chapter provides an engaging narrative that presents a relatable leadership dilemma, before undertaking an analysis of what works and when it should be implemented and, finally, actionable advice for leaders who find themselves in comparable circumstances (or may do so in the future).

A Question of Leadership also places an emphasis on an important but frequently overlooked element of corporate leadership and change initiatives: mental health. The book provides expert advice on managing the mental health of leaders and the teams who are operating within stressful, high-pressure environments. This is a timely and essential guide for any business leader looking for the most effective strategies and approaches when it comes to change initiatives, to ensure the continued livelihood and prosperity of their organization and their employees in times of crisis.

Keith Leslie is a leadership mentor, speaker and writer, living and working in London and Bristol. He is Chair of Samaritans in the UK & Ireland and Chair of Mental Health At Work CIC. He was previously Chair of Mental Health Foundation, and has also served as Chair of Build Africa and as a non-executive director of The Tablet Publishing Company. He has been a fellow at Windsor Leadership since 2010.

Keith began his career with Shell, working in a series of front-line and general management roles. He joined McKinsey in 1993, becoming a partner in 1998, and served clients in a wide range of industrial sectors and government. He moved to Deloitte as a partner in 2006 and retired in 2017, having focused on organization and leadership challenges at senior levels in industry and government. Keith has published more than 50 articles in European Management Journal, McKinsey Quarterly, The Times, Wall Street Journal, The Tablet and many other professional journals.