Most textbooks used for teaching leadership are oriented toward the upper-level student and have a strong theoretical orientation. To date, there are very few basic, practical, introductory leadership textbooks. "Introduction to Leadership" presents in a clear and straightforward way the basic principles of leadership in an attempt to help the reader answer the question: 'How can I become a better leader'? While it is based on theory, the book provides a practical perspective on leadership.

Table of Contents

Preface 1. Being a Leader Defining Leadership Global Leadership Attributes Practicing Leadership Summary References 1.1 Conceptualizing Leadership Questionnaire 1.2 Observational Exercise 1.3 Reflection and Action Worksheet 2. Recognizing Your Traits Historical Leaders: What Traits Do These Leaders Display? Leadership Studies: What Traits Do Effective Leaders Exhibit? Summary References 2.1 Leadership Traits Questionnaire 2.2 Observational Exercise 2.3 Reflection and Action Worksheet 3. Recognizing Your Philosophy and Style of Leadership What Is Your View of Human Behavior at Work Styles of Leadership: Authoritarian, Democratic, and Laissez-Faire What Is Your Style of Leadership? Summary References 3.1 Leadership Styles Questionnaire 3.2 Observational Exercise 3.3 Reflection and Action Worksheet 4. Attending to Tasks and Relationships What Is Your Personal Style? What Kind of Leader Are You? Summary References 4.1 Task and Relationship Questionnaire 4.2 Observational Exercise 4.3 Reflection and Action Worksheet 5. Developing Leadership Skills What Are Your Core Leadership Skills? Summary References 5.1 Leadership Skills Questionnaire 5.2 Observational Exercise 5.3 Reflection and Action Worksheet 6. Creating a Vision What Are the Characteristics of a Vision? How Is a Vision Articulated? How Is a Vision Implemented? Summary References 6.1 Leadership Vision Questionnaire 6.2 Observational Exercise 6.3 Reflection and Action Worksheet 7. Setting the Tone Provide Structure Clarify Norms Build Cohesiveness Promote Standards of Excellence Summary References 7.1 Setting the Tone Questionnaire 7.2 Observational Exercise 7.3 Reflection and Action Worksheet 8. Listening to Out-Group Members Who Is in the Out-Group? Why Do Out-Groups Form? What Is the Impact of Out-Groups? How Should a Leader Respond to Out-Groups? Summary References 8.1 Responding to Members of the Out-Group Questionnaire 8.2 Observational Exercise 8.3 Reflection and Action Worksheet 9. Overcoming Obstacles Obstacle 1: Unclear Goals Obstacle 2: Unclear Directions Obstacle 3: Low Motivation Obstacle 4: Complex Tasks Obstacle 5: Simple Tasks Obstacle 6: Low Involvement Obstacle 7: Lack of a Challenge Summary References 9.1 Path-Goal Styles Questionnaire 9.2 Observational Exercise 9.3 Reflection and Action Worksheet 10. Addressing Ethics in Leadership Ethical Leadership Is About Ethical Leadership Is About the Character of the Leader Ethical Leadership Is About the Actions of the Leader Ethical Leadership Is About the Goals of the Leader Ethical Leadership Is About the Honesty of the Leader Ethical Leadership Is About the Power of the Leader Ethical Leadership Is About the Values of the Leader Summary References 10.1 Core Values Questionnaire 10.2 Observational Exercise 10.3 Reflection and Action Worksheet

About the Author

Peter G. Northouse, Ph.D, is a professor of communication in the School of Communication at Western Michigan University. For more than 20 years, he has taught leadership, interpersonal, and organizational communication on both the undergraduate and graduate levels. In addition to publications in professional journals, he is the author of Introduction to Leadership: Concepts and Practice and coauthor of Health Communication: Strategies for Health Professionals (3rd ed.). His scholarly and curricular interests include models of leadership, leadership assessment, ethical leadership, and leadership and group dynamics. He has worked as a consultant in a variety of areas, including leadership development, leadership education, conflict management, and health communication. He holds a doctorate in speech communication from the University of Denver and a master's and bachelor's degree in communication education from Michigan State University.

Reviews

"I have been looking for a good intro to Leadership [book] with class exercises-this is it!" -- Richard Bell 20090805 "This text is critical, concise, theory based, and engages students with activities." -- Lauren Williams 20090911 "Peter Northouse's Introduction to Leadership is an excellent text that I have used for freshman/sophomore levels classes. It contains most of the major topics from his more comprehensive Leadership: Theory and Practice but omits much of the more academic content that we love but freshman don't. It also has 3 excellent activities at the end of each chapter for self-reflection/ application on each topic, with abbreviated versions of many typical leadership assessments." -- Frank Markow 20090914 "In Northouse's most recent publication, Introduction to Leadership: Concepts and Practices, he continues his impressive ability to render leadership theories and concepts extremely accessible. Despite the fact that this book is much lighter on theory than Northouse's previous work, it is nonetheless better than most resources I have used in the past in addressing the personal and organizational implications of leadership in a matter-of-fact, nuts-and bolts manner. The content of the book flows seamlessly and logically. Northouse's book gets a strong recommendation from this reviewer. He is patently passionate about communicating not only the essence of leadership but the manner in which thoughtful leadership can transform people, communities, and organizations. In this latest publication, he has done exactly that." -- Jeffrey D. Yergler 20091106 "I found Northouse's style of writing to be unambiguous, complex but wonderfully understandable. His writing style stoked the fires of my imagination regarding my own approach to leadership. It also made complex concepts in leadership understandable without sullying the integrity of the academic discipline of leadership or leadership praxis. The content of the book flows seamlessly and logically. Northouse's book gets a strong recommendation from this reviewer. Introduction to Leadership: Concepts and Practices demonstrates Northouse's depth and breadth of experience as an academician and consultant. He is patently passionate about communicating not only the essence of leadership but the manner in which thoughtful leadership can transform people, communities, and organizations." -- Journal of Leadership Studies 20101201 "I have followed Peter Northouse's work for years. He has written another excellent book, this time a perfect introductory book for the new student of leadership." -- Carl Larson 20081221 "For four editions and more than a decade, its concise, intelligent, insightful introduction to the study of leadership has made "Northouse" [Leadership: Theory and Practice, Fourth Edition, SAGE, (c)2007] the go-to text for students and teachers. With this book, Peter Northouse has done the same for the practice of leadership." -- Richard A. Couto 20081221 "The theoretical concepts are brought to life through the readings and there's more"how to" info to actually become a better leader as opposed to just studying the theories, all of which have many, many gaps anyway. Moreover, with only 10 chapters and a CLU 11 week term, the flow of the book makes it easy to cover 1 chapter per week (no cramming)." -- Karen Hanen 20090206