Book excerpt: The fifth edition of the Handbook explores the role and value of leadership and management development and provides tools, techniques and authoritative guidance on how to deliver it effectively. The contributors, both academics and professionals, many of whom are highly-regarded in their field, work with existing as well as new ideas; incorporating the needs of contemporary society with a commitment to show how their ideas are relevant in practice and how they may be implemented. The book draws on case studies and contributions from North America, Australasia and Europe.