Leadership: Theory and Practice

Readability:

Easy, plodding

Compatible with Efficient Reading Course:

Yes

Applicability:

Peter Northouse does a great job of synthesizing the most popular leadership theories and styles currently on the market today. This book distills the techniques and concepts for the new leadership student.

The book covers the study of leadership theory from the early 1900s to the 21^st century. The book easily explains the Traits, Skills, Behavioral, and Situational approaches to leadership. Additionally, it covers the following leadership theories: Path-Goal, Leader-Member Exchange (LMX), Transformational Leadership, Authentic Leadership, Servant Leadership, and Adaptive Leadership theories.

The 8^th edition contains additional chapters on Followership, Leadership Ethics, Team Leadership, Gender and Leadership, and Culture and Leadership. One word of caution regarding the chapter on Gender and Leadership. The majority of the references in this chapter are outdated (1980s and 1990s) and unsupported by current data.

The book provides study questions, case studies, and sample questionnaires for leaders to further their leadership theory understanding and practices.

Overall, this book was an easy read that, at times felt plodding after explaining the main point of the section. The text was full of introductory-level leadership information, which at times delved into the intermediate range.

Verdict:

Buy

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Book details: ISBN – 978-1506362311; reading pages – 470; publisher – Sage Publishing; published – 2019

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