Leadership Theory: Cultivating Critical Perspectives

Leadership Theory is designed specifically for use in undergraduate or graduate classrooms providing a comprehensive overview of essential theories informing the leadership studies knowledgebase. The text infuses critical perspectives in a developmental manner that guides readers through increasingly complex ways in which theory can be deconstructed and reconstructed to enhance practice and advance social justice.  The book uses compelling examples, critically reflective questions, and multiple approaches to concept illustration to cultivate readers’ abilities to engage as critical learners. At the heart of this are powerful counter-narratives offering a range of insights on the challenges and rewards of leadership. Narratives represent accomplished leaders from across a broad range of fields including Eboo Patel, Mary Morten, Felice Gorordo, and more. The facilitator’s guide and instructor’s website supplement this with case studies, sample syllabi, structured dialogues, and learning activities tied to each chapter.

Leadership texts tend to limit application of theory to a singular disciplinary context, omit important ways in which research evolves the understanding of theory, and/or lack critical evaluation of theories which diminishes the ability to translate theory to practice. This book provides a much-needed solution to these issues.

• Learn the nature, origin, and evolution of specific theories
• Understand and apply leadership theories using critical perspectives
• Consider the influences of ethics and justice, social location, and globalization

The rapid expansion of leadership programs has thrown the dearth of suitable primary texts into sharp relief. Instructors forced to cobble together course materials from multiple piecemeal sources will find their much-needed solution in Leadership Theory.