Provocation as Leadership

"In an age of ‘strong man’ politics and increased totalitarianism, being superficially provocative is sometimes mistaken for leadership. But this book reveals that using provocation in real leadership requires intelligence, cunning and, perhaps, most importantly, the ability to think outside the square, in persuading people that change that is uncomfortable for them is a good idea. This book gives a roadmap to using provocation as a tool of both leadership and change: recognizing its boundaries, its risks, and the instruments at hand."

Laura Tingle, Chief Political Correspondent for the ABC’s 7.30 Report and author of Follow the Leader: Democracy and the Rise of the Strongman

"I had the privilege of seeing Michael and Maxime in action when I was their client. Through their wisdom, care, and yes – provocation – I grew as a person and leader, as have so many others. In their book, Provocation as Leadership, they are sharing the secrets of their delicate and powerful art. Drawing from a wide range of disciplines and using rich case studies as illustration, Provocation as Leadership is a deep exploration of both the anatomy of provocation and requisite conditions for it to create change. The book is full of useful tools and frameworks to enable leaders and consultants to assess how, when, and in what form provocation can lead to change that may have otherwise felt unattainable."

Karen May, Former Vice President of People Development, Google

"Exercising leadership is always risky because it involves taking people out of their comfort zone. Maxime Fern and Michael Johnstone remind us in this splendid book that leading means provoking, and that it is necessary to be brave to do so. They provide valuable and well thought out tools – supported by many examples from which to be inspired – to know how to provoke effectively and not to be damaged in the attempt."

Juan Carlos Eichholz, Professor, Universidad Adolfo Ibanez, Chile, and author of Adaptive Capacity

"Maxime Fern and Michael Johnstone have delivered a practitioner’s dream: a comprehensive field guide to purposeful provocation. Using detailed case studies and relatable stories from their decades of teaching and training, they animate the theory, provide tools to tackle the practice, and offer an honest assessment of the risks and rewards of this approach. While we know our world’s most wicked challenges lack easy answers, this book will surely sharpen the mind, steady the hands, and embolden the heart of any intrepid changemaker who seeks to tackle them."

Laura Berlind, Executive Director, Adaptive Leadership Network, Washington DC

"This is a timely written book given the lack of leadership in the world today. Maxime and Michael present powerful principles and concepts that address the realities of helping groups, institutions, and complex systems make progress on their toughest challenges. The art of provocation is a vital leadership skill to get attention and stir people to action."

Dean Williams, President, Thinking Heads Global and author of Real Leadership

"People experience provocation all the time, especially lately. Rapid technology advances, a global pandemic, evolving understandings about inclusion, high geopolitical tensions, all have many feelings provoked. Provocation as Leadership claims "provocation" as a tool for the greater good and gives examples of how the conscious use of effective provocation can unlock successful change efforts in our families, organizations, and communities. We don’t need less provocation in our world. We need better provocation. This book guides the way."

Ed O’Malley, President and CEO of the Kansas Leadership Center