Silence always has something to say – it’s never neutral and speaks volumes if people are willing to hear. Our response to silence is often to dismiss or end it, to block it out with noise. Instead, silence needs to be taken seriously. This book explores the importance of understanding silence and shows how we can move from merely listening to truly hearing those around us. The interplay of voice and silence in organisational life is not straightforward. We can feel pressured to speak and compelled to keep our silence. Knowing how to read silence, to make sense of its generative and degenerative capacity, is a rarely developed skill among managers and leaders at all levels – who have been brought up to see silence as evidence of compliance or a weakness to be addressed. But it is a critical skill for managers and employees alike. Written by two experts in organisational development, this book explores different types of silence and their implications for organisational practice, digging into the theoretical roots and engaging with real stories and voices. It provides everyone at work with an understanding of the different meanings of silence and how to engage well with it. When to stay with it, when to join in with it, and when to be struck by what’s not being said and do something about it. The Great Unheard at Work is essential reading for corporate leaders, HR professionals in all sectors, business students, professionals, and anyone interested in leadership development.

Confession is the declaration of suppressing sin and unheard emotion which have been shackled in our hearts for a prolonged period of time. Uttering our guilt, sins and repressed desires to the entire world through penning requires a brave heart & a pious soul who would be ready to conquer the upcoming challenges. This book is an attempt to enlighten & motivate the pious soul so as to enable them to speak their heart out for the unheard & sparkle like a pole star. I truly salute all my co-authors for showing their bravery via confession, a compilation by Himanshu Arora under the guidance of Latika Garg

In an unpredictable world, how do we go about supporting leaders to develop more democratic and inclusive ways of working and living? The second edition of Leadership Development in Practice: A Complexity Approach draws on autoethnographic accounts of experience from practitioners across three continents to explore the leadership development approaches that best support managers to work with uncertainty by taking their experience seriously. It offers an alternative perspective on leadership and organisation for business schools, consultancies, and corporate training functions to adopt in their development of leaders. Additions to this second edition include as follows: A new chapter on creating large group dialogue A more explicit emphasis on what it means to take gender, diversity, and social justice seriously A review of the burgeoning interest in complexity perspectives on leadership and leadership development since publication of the first edition This book is essential reading for leadership and organisational development professionals, researchers, and students. It will also be of interest to managers looking for an approach to leadership development that works with how things are rather than with idealisations of how things ought to be.

When presumably heterosexual spouses turn out to be gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender, the unexpected revelation overshadows its devastating impact on their straight wives and husbands. Unseen-Unheard opens the window on their remarkable journeys from trauma to transformation. What would you do if your husband said he'd fallen in love with a man or thinks he might be gay or bisexual, or you discovered your wife's texts, photos, or emails indicating she has a female lover and wonders if she might be lesbian or bisexual? Well, this happens, a shattering reality that at least two million men and women have faced and tried to understand and accept, even as we were unseen and our voices unheard. Who are we? We are husbands and wives left behind when our spouses came out or after we discovered they were gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. Shocked and paralyzed, swirling in the devastating wake of our beloveds' revelation, we had to pick up unrecognizable pieces of our former lives and try to reconfigure them without much outside support, recognition, or understanding of the depth of the crisis. Yes, straight spouses typically cope alone with unique issues of sexuality, betrayal, and broken belief systems. Slowly, we redefine ourselves, create new lives, affirm the joy of living, and reap life's infinite possibilities. We invite you to walk with us and experience our journey from the first desperate cries of discovery or disclosure to insights and wisdom gained as we resolve our issues and transform our lives. As you observe and listen, we hope you will embrace the courage, creativity, and resilience of our strength, which we didn't know we had, yet was so powerful that lifelong habits were broken and we uniquely and marvelously became who we were meant to be. About the Authors: Amity Pierce Buxton, her Ph.D. from Columbia University, has taught grades pre-school through graduate school. Member of the American Psychological Association, she serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Bisexuality and the Journal of GLBT Family Studies and on the board of the Catholic Association for Gay and Lesbian Ministry. She wrote The Other Side of the Closet: the Coming-Out Crisis for Straight Spouses and Families and founded the worldwide Straight Spouse Network. Currently, she counsels spouses and couples, conducts research, writes articles and chapters, lectures, and gives workshops on all aspects of the impact of a spouse's coming out in a mixed-orientation or transgender/non-transgender marriage. R. L. Pinely writes, "Collaborating with Amity to write this book has been an amazing journey. Absorbing her expertise has been a rare privilege as we lived vicariously through the lives of others and walked in their shoes. As owner of an online support group, I'm so thankful that I have the opportunity every day to pass along her wisdom, insight, experience, and understanding to nearly 3,000 women." Visit the Straight Spouse Network website: www.straightspouse.org

Action learning is one of the most prominent individual and organisational development approaches used in all parts of the world, including in over 70 member states of the United Nations. From its early beginnings in the 1970s, it has been adopted in private, public and third-sector organisations and has produced several variations. Used for leadership and management development, to support teamwork and problem-solving, and to encourage creative thinking, it can help to develop and enhance the learning capacity for individuals and organisations. Applied as a discrete activity focused on a priority need or on new or changed roles; as a linkage between more formal programs and the workplace or blended with other elements in a program, this book distils current and previous practice and theory to provide an up-to-date guide to action learning. The book will provide readers with an understanding of action learning, including the major elements, the choice of issues, the key skills, the role of the facilitator and applications organisation-wide. It will address such important aspects as how action learning can adapt to different national and regional cultures and how it can be evaluated. It will also offer a range of resources for further and deeper understanding.

The lives of African American gay men have greatly gone unnoticed in the American consciousness. Despite the fact that Black gay men have made great contributions to our global society. For example, James Baldwin served as a literature giant. Bayard Rustin was one of the key organizers of the 1963 March on Washington. Alphonso David is the first person of color to lead the HRC (Human Rights Campaign). The purpose of this book is to discuss the narratives of Black gay men. There is no doubt that American history has done a nonexistent job of portraying the lives of these Black gay men. Most of these lives have been relegated to the background of society. This book purposes to change that narrative by having 10 to 12 gentlemen discuss their background and how it brought them to where they are in life now. The goal of this book is to also discuss the victory for each of the authors. Praise for Unheard Voices: A Collection of Narratives by Black, Gay & Bisexual Men "Open and transparent discussion about the lives and important contributions of African American gay men is long overdue. Rarely are marginalized people from any walk of life afforded the well-deserved positive attention from mainstream media outside of sports and pop entertainment culture. It has always been important for us to represent ourselves in this regard rather than wait for somnambulant media professionals to wake up and properly embark upon inclusionary coverage of positive images reflected by non-dominant members of society. Unheard Voices: A Collection of Narratives by black gay and bi-sexual men is an essential literary commentary that does exactly that. I will definitely use it as an important reference in my work as an LGBTQ activist." Sheila Fay Waters, Ph.D. Social Psychologist "Unheard Voices establishes a distinctive position, providing a testament to the lived experiences of a group that have become further marginalized, and stigmatized in academia, as well as in the black community. It is a piece of work that boldly, and unapologetically provides a glimpse into a culture, that is hidden, which doesn’t fit the stereotypical narrative of the black male experience in America. Those seeking to gain insight and understanding, as well as direction to navigate challenges faced by black men, this is a must read. By incorporating this piece of work into both academic and social circles, as added value, can elevate and transcend barriers, so those from such marginalized groups, will have a seat at the table. This collection of stories provides wisdom, and a narrative of overcoming some of the darkest obstacles faced by black men from the LGBTQIA community." Carl Featherston MA.Ed, Ed.S Scholarly-Practitioner "Unheard Voices is arguably one of the most open and pure writings from individuals who have navigated life as Black, Gay or Bisexual men. While we have always been present our presence hasn’t always been valued. Our contributions to society are undeniable but we could only be viewed through a lens that made others comfortable. Today, these exceptional men, in their own voices, share their stories which, I hope, will serve as source of enlightenment and encouragement to everyone! This is a must read regardless of your age, gender, sexual preference or race. You will indeed be better informed!" Pedro W. Douglas, Ed.D. Retired University Administrator

This is a novel about mysterious circumstances and ventures which developed during the course of a member of corporate management; McKnight, as he set forth his journey within the Structure of the gigantic General Motors Corporation. McKnight a member of corporate management at the Humongous Automobile maker General Motors Corporation was focused on his corporate responsibilities, work ethics, and corporate career development; all of the necessary elements to assure the climb up the corporate structure. McKnight accepted the assignment as a member of the corporate management of General Motors Corporation with the goal of making important organizational and operational contributions to the company. McKnight from the very beginning of his corporate career continued to develop his business, managerial, and interpersonal skills, all that is needed to prepare for the Industry challenges that the corporation would eventually face. As McKnight continued his journey within the management structure of the Corporate Giant General Motors Corporation, he would receive outstanding and highly effective performance appraisals. McKnight continued to further develop his management and financial skills as well as being focused on challenging issues within and outside the corporate structure. General Motors Corporation is comprised of Union and Non Union workers. The Union employees are members of one of the worlds largest-Unions the United Automobile Workers Union, known as the U.A.W. The U.A.W. concerns itself with issues involving their members and issues regarding conditions of employment. The members of General Motors Corporate management structure did not have representation from the UAW because they were management and non union employees. The United Automobile Workers Union, would help its workers with issues which would involve wages, who should work overtime, overtime wages, work conditions, and many other economic issues and resolutions of disputes and grievances with management, including but not limited to corporate layoffs due to downsizing and job terminations. The United Automobile Workers Union was powerful, economically positioned and equipped with a vast financial war chest. For many years General Motors Corporation has held the title as the Worlds largest automobile maker, dominating the Industry with its large production of automobiles and trucks. As the Automobile Industry began to change, due to the entrants of competitors who would began to make an impact on the automobile market by way of various business, manufacturing and marketing strategies. The competitive entrants objective was simply to increase their presence and market share of the lucrative worldwide automobile industry. General Motors Corporation would eventually experience a reduction in market share and would have to make adjustments to management and union workers. Corporate downsizing is often a necessary fact of doing business and running a corporation. In any event most corporations if not all have a well established protocol that would bring about personnel reductions. Suddenly without notice the corporate atmosphere at the colossal gigantic Generals Motors Corporation changed to that of an uncertain climate. The member employees of General Motors Corporation would sense insecurity. However with cyclical economic downturns in the United States and world economies and faced with competition from abroad; operational changes would occur. McKnights management position would eventually be affected, and McKnight soon afterwards would find himself challenging the Humongous Colossal General Motors Corporation before administrative agencies, the state court, United States Federal District Court, the US Court of Appeals, and with a writ a certiorari before the United States Supreme Court, General Motors would respond to the occa

Radical ideologies, revolutionary movements, political upheavals, legal frameworks and many such initiatives have been taken up to prove a Woman’s Equality, and uplift her status all over the world. Though the voices raised are loud and heard; but the moot question is whether the word ‘Feminism,’ in its true sense, has been understood and implemented in the ‘still very much’ patriarchal society of today. The undercurrent answer to this question is echoed and retorted in this book on Gender studies. Elaborating on the Indian woman, this book comments on the condition of women, from ancient India to the modern day India—her transforming status; the laws devised to protect her; social taboos surmounting her; and the changing social patterns that are being brought to nullify the gender differences—be it at home, within an office and within the society. The book begins with a feminist approach to politics, movements led by the feminists, their treatment in literature, autobiographies, their contribution towards economic sectors, their health, education, e-governance, and role towards environment. A dedicated chapter elaborates on women in Tagore’s work, with original text excerpts in Bengali and their literal translations. The final chapter deals with Indian women and their tryst with crime day in and out; the unchanged age-old laws which are in need of serious review; and the role of media and society in providing them the due accreditation of ‘being someone’. The book is intended for the students of Gender Studies, Political Science, English, Sociology, and Media Studies.

Health Humanities in contemporary times has enabled exploration of the unexplored chartered terrains in literary paradigms. Scholars in the field of Humanities and Sciences have been engaging with the praxis of applying concepts from both disciplines revising the approach towards Health Care and Humanities. Due to interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary methodologies of reading literary texts, they have been reinforcing a paradigm shift from the conventional understanding of narratives in Literature and Health Care. Traditional discursive boundaries between the disciplines of Health and Humanities are collapsing due to a comprehensive and nuanced interpretation of the shared ontological foundation between the two – Humanism. Terminologies like Displacement, Dislocation, and Disjunction unite Health and Humanities and they also make the unknown, known. Health Humanities explores the different multitudes of narration in the literary arena and it represents diverse voices of literature. It also showcases the importance of re-reading a text owing to its autotelic status. The authors who have contributed chapters for this book have meticulously selected diverse texts and contexts, embedded in the dynamism of Health Humanities. This book is an impetus for academicians from the field of Humanities and Sciences who desire to venture into new epistemes towards Health Humanities.