Leadership: A Critical Introduction

Leadership is crucial to the success of any organisation. But how can one seek to most effectively develop the leadership ability of both themselves, and others? How should one define leadership? Are great leaders born or made?

This text addresses such fundamental questions via a comprehensive and critical approach to the discussion of key leadership theories. The text encourages the reader to consider the role of both follower and leader in the leadership process, and to recognise the emergence of both effective, and destructive, leadership.

Each chapter features 'Expert Insights' on leadership, written by leaders in their respective fields. These insights offer the reader a valuable real-world perspective of leadership that enriches the abstract theory covered in each chapter. The provision of case studies, examples and supplementary online material provide the effective delivery of both undergraduate and postgraduate lectures and workshops, and self-guided study. A concluding chapter that focuses on the development of one’s self-leadership ultimately facilitates a comprehensive introduction to what is at once a seductive, complex, transformative and alluring topic.