Article Leading aesthetically in uncertain times Ralph Bathurst Massey University, New Zealand Brad Jackson The University of Auckland Business School, New Zealand Matt Statler New York University, USA Abstract ‘Leading Aesthetically’ highlights the processes by which leaders can inspire and motivate using sense perceptions that go beyond rational, objective, communication. In this article, we contribute to the theoretical development of aesthetic leadership by drawing on phenomenologist Roman Ingarden’s notions of presencing and concretization; backward reflexivity; attention to both form and content; and myth-making. We illustrate the particular relevance of these theoretical concepts to leadership in conditions of uncertainty and crisis by discussing the case of Hurricane Katrina’s impacts on New Orleans in 2005. The article concludes that aesthetically-aware leaders are able to deploy a range of intellectual and emotional skills that can complement more conventional rational- instrumental decision-making approaches in ways that can have considerable benefits in times of uncertainty, and most especially in crisis situations. Keywords aesthetics, crisis leadership, Ingarden, music, reflexivity, symbolism Ui mai koe ki ahau he aha te mea nui o te ao, M  aku e k ı atu he tangata, he tangata, he tangata! Ask me what is the greatest thing in the world, I will reply: It is people, it is people, it is people! M aori Proverb Novelist James Lee Burke begins his 2007 novel, The Tin Roof Blowdown, with Detective Dave Robicheaux waking from a nightmare. Robicheaux is plagued with memories of service in the Vietnam War and the cruel death of one of his platoon soldiers. He has finally overcome his resentment against his country for its failure to support the returning Leadership 6(3) 311–330 ! The Author(s) 2010 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/1742715010368761 lea.sagepub.com Corresponding author: Ralph Bathurst, Department of Management and International Business, Massey University, Albany Campus, Private Bag 102904 North Shore, MSC, Auckland, New Zealand Email: R.Bathurst@massey.ac.nz