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This paper is one of four related to our project on 'Networked management learning for educational leaders'. In this first paper we will focus on the question, what is networked management learning, and why is it potentially important or significant for leadership development in the learning and skills sector? A prior issue to address is that of what notion or concept of leadership we are seeking to develop through networked management learning. As Keith Grint argues, leadership is a contested concept 'because it remains contested exactly how we recognise, train and exert leadership depends fundamentally on that first definitional step' (Grint, 2005) It is not our intention in this paper to review possible definitions and ways of thinking about leadership, as other [Centre for Excellence in Leadership] CEL projects have already done this to great effect. Instead, we intend to simply explain the view we take to leadership, we feel this is important when considering networked management learning as a development approach for educational leaders in the learning and skills sector.

This paper is one of four related to our project on 'Networked management learning for educational leaders'. In the first paper in this series, we defined leadership as a relational process that takes place within a 'relational space'. We believe that in order for learning to take place, it is important to create a safe space for people to engage in dialogue, share ideas, and reflect on their professional experience. Our research shows that people in the learning and skills sector are already involved in creating online spaces in order to network, reflect on shared practices, and stay in touch. By engaging with the technologically supported networks that already exist for people in the sector, our research aims to: (1) understand how people in the sector are already creating learning spaces and find out what this tells us about their learning styles and preferences; and (2) suggest ways in which we could draw on this understanding to create learning spaces that address the needs of current and future leaders in the sector. To sum up, we are interested in understanding how people learn in online spaces, both formally and informally. Our research sees online networks not just as a resource that is used by people who happen to be leaders, but as a relational space where people construct their identities as leaders through a process of dialogue and reflection.