Leadership Theory

List of Tables and Figures xi
 
Preface xv
 
Acknowledgments xxv
 
About the Author xxix
 
1. The Evolving Nature of Leadership 1
 
Why Study Leaders and Leadership? 2
 
What Is Leadership? 3
 
Mapping the Definitional Terrain 4
 
Chapter Summary 22
 
2. Critical Perspectives as Interpretative Frameworks 27
 
Letting Go of Theoretical Certainty 28
 
What Is Critical Social Theory? 29
 
Central Themes of Critical Social Theory 31
 
Using Critical Perspectives as Interpretative Tools 39
 
Essential Preparation for Applying Critical Perspectives 46
 
Benefits of Using Critical Perspectives 48
 
Chapter Summary 49
 
3. Interpreting Leadership Theory Using Critical Perspectives 53
 
Critical Social Theory and Leadership 53
 
Evolution of Formal Leadership Theory 54
 
The Leadership Challenge Model 66
 
Chapter Summary 72
 
4. Attribute-Driven Theories 75
 
Trait-Based Leadership 75
 
Strengths-Based Leadership 80
 
Implicit Leadership Theory 87
 
Deconstructing Attribute-Driven Theories 93
 
Reconstructing Attribute-Driven Theories 98
 
Chapter Summary 103
 
5. Production-Driven Theories 107
 
Style Theory 107
 
Situational Leadership 115
 
Path-Goal Theory 122
 
Deconstructing Production-Driven Theories 127
 
Reconstructing Production-Driven Theories 132
 
Chapter Summary 135
 
6. Leader-Driven Theories 139
 
Transforming/Transformational Leadership 140
 
Authentic Leadership 148
 
Servant Leadership 155
 
Deconstructing Leader-Driven Theories 164
 
Reconstructing Leader-Driven Theories 168
 
Chapter Summary 170
 
7. Group-Driven Theories 175
 
Leader-Member Exchange Theory 175
 
Team Leadership 184
 
Shared Leadership 192
 
Deconstructing

JOHN P. DUGAN is the Chief Research & Development Officer at the Center for Expanding Leadership & Opportunity. John co-founded and is the principal investigator of Multi-Institutional Study of Leadership (MSL), the largest international study of leadership outcomes. He also co-authored The Handbook for Student Leadership Development.

"What a fantastic book--I could not put it down! This critical review of the strengths and weaknesses of the best-known leadership theories fundamentally enhances our understanding. Dugan's insights are transformative. He offers ways to improve these theories rather than disregarding them based on their shortcomings. I love the notion of zombie theories--you have to read the book to find out what that is! The narratives help ground complex concepts and the reflection questions compel the reader to engage with the material."
--Adrianna Kezar, professor for higher education, University of Southern California
 

"The prophetic voice of John Dugan speaks to us again. Having used the 1st edition for the past 5 years in my graduate leadership class, I know the profound effect learning from this text had on all of us. Leadership is made real and human."
--Helen K. Lafferty, Interim President, Youngstown State University
 

"This book reads as a call to action for anyone dedicated to the discipline of leadership for a society fashioned for diversity, inclusion, and justice. Dugan masterfully takes the reader on a journey with the incorporation of constructs, theories, and personal narratives dispersed throughout. The critical approach of this work, coupled with the commentary offered, leaves the reader with new considerations for leadership teaching, learning, and practice."
--Darren Pierre, PhD, Senior Lecturer, A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland