Chapter 10: Making the World your Classroom: Observation as a Pedagogical Tool for Leadership Learning

The start of the new decade has been marked by historic, life-altering events that required courageous leadership. In the midst of a global pandemic, the news cycles report stories of increased presence of grassroots organizing for Black Lives Matter, voter turnout and awareness, global climate change awareness in response to a number of natural disasters in North America, increased violence within immigration detention centers, and more. All represent complex and interconnected challenges that require leadership. Now more than ever, opportunities for leadership learning are needed. Conversations about leadership are needed. Leadership educators are needed. Our responsibility as leadership educators is to acknowledge what is happening and work collectively to create positive social change. It is time for leadership educators to adapt to our current climate and respond with new and innovative pedagogies for leadership learning, including leadership observation.