ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book considers the existential nature of authenticity and how its philosophic roots informed and shaped the group coaching format. It explores what the leadership and organisational benefits are that can be expected from the group coaching approach to Authentic Leadership Development (ALD). The book examines the place of values, morals and ethics in AL. It also considers the issue of evaluation and how appropriate it is or is not for AL Development. The book looks at what the Return on Investment Institute considers best practice in leadership development evaluation and where the concepts of programme objectives, competency frameworks and evaluation fit within ALD. It shows how evaluation can be achieved up to a performance improvement level, but how the difference between tangible and intangible organisational benefits then makes the idea of return on investment not a germane one.
