Peter G. Northouse, PhD, is Professor Emeritus of Communication in the School of Communication at Western Michigan University. Leadership: Theory and Practice is the best-selling academic textbook on leadership in the world and has been translated into 15 languages. In addition to authoring publications in professional journals, he is the author of Introduction to Leadership: Concepts and Practice (now in its sixth edition) and co-author of Leadership Case Studies in Education (now in its fourth edition) and Health Communication: Strategies for Health Professionals (now in its third edition). His scholarly and curricular interests include models of leadership, leadership assessment, ethical leadership, and leadership and group dynamics. For more than 40 years, he has taught courses in leadership, interpersonal communication, and organizational communication on both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Currently, he is a consultant and lecturer on trends in leadership research, leadership development, and leadership education. He holds a doctorate in speech communication from the University of Denver, and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in communication education from Michigan State University.

Excellent book for fundamental knowledge on leadership. A must read for students with a leadership module in their programme.. I particularly liked the observational exercises and reflections and action worksheets which made the theory applicable to the scenarios and to the student. Highly recommend the book.

• PrefaceAbout the Author1. Understanding LeadershipIntroductionLeadership Explained"Leadership is a Trait""Leadership is an Ability""Leadership is a Skill""Leadership is a Behavior""Leadership is a Relationship""Leadership is an Influence Process"Leadership vs. ManagementGlobal Leadership AttributesThe Dark Side of LeadershipLeadership Snapshot: Michelle ObamaSummaryApplication1.1 Case Study: King of the Hill1.2 Case Study: Charity: Water1.3 Conceptualizing Leadership Questionnaire1.4 Observational Exercise1.5 Reflection and Action WorksheetReferences2. Recognizing Your TraitsIntroductionLeadership Traits ExplainedIntelligenceConfidenceCharismaDeterminationSociabilityIntegrityLeadership Snapshot: Nelson MandelaLeadership Traits in PracticeGeorge Washington (1732 - 1799)Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965)Mother Teresa (1910 - 1997)Bill Gates (1955 - )Oprah Winfrey (1954 - )Lebron James (1984 - )SummaryApplication2.1 Case Study: NorthTown Dallas2.2 Case Study: The Three Bs2.3 Leadership Traits Questionnaire2.4 Observational Exercise2.5 Reflection and Action WorksheetReferences3. Understanding Leadership StylesIntroductionLeadership Philosophy ExplainedTheory XTheory YLeadership Styles ExplainedAuthoritarian Leadership StyleDemocratic Leadership StyleLaissez-Faire Leadership StyleLeadership Snapshot: Victoria RansomLeadership Styles in PracticeSummaryApplication3.1 Case Study: Several Different Styles3.2 Case Study: Leading the Robotics Team3.3 Leadership Styles Questionnaire3.4 Observational Exercise3.5 Reflection and Action WorksheetReferences4. Attending to Tasks and RelationshipsIntroductionTask and Relationship Styles ExplainedTask StyleRelationship StyleLeadership Snapshot: Ai-Jen PooTask and Relationship Styles in PracticeTask LeadershipRelationship LeadershipSummaryApplication4.1 Case Study: From Two to One4.2 Case Study: Day and Night4.3 Task and Relationship Questionnaire4.4 Observational Exercise4.5 Reflection and Action WorksheetReferences5. Developing Leadership SkillsIntroductionAdministrative Skills ExplainedAdministrative Skills in PracticeInterpersonal Skills ExplainedInterpersonal Skills in PracticeLeadership Snapshot: Coquese WashingtonConceptual Skills ExplainedConceptual Skills in PracticeSummaryApplication5.1 Case Study: Give Me Shelter5.2 Case Study: Reviving an Ancient Art5.3 Leadership Skills Questionnaire5.4 Observational Exercise5.5 Reflection and Action WorksheetReferences6. Engaging StrengthsIntroductionStrength-Based Leadership ExplainedHistorical BackgroundIdentifying and Measuring StrengthsStrength-Based Leadership in PracticeDiscovering Your StrengthsDeveloping Your StrengthsAddressing Your WeaknessesLeadership Snapshot: Steve JobsRecognizing and Engaging the Strength of OthersFostering a Positive Strengths-Based EnvironmentSummaryApplication6.1 Case Study: Ready to Be CEO?6.2 Case Study: The Strength to Stand Out?6.3 Leadership Strengths Questionnaire6.4 Observational Exercise6.5 Reflection and Action WorksheetReferences7. Creating a VisionIntroductionVision ExplainedA PictureA ChangeValuesLeadership Snapshot: Rosalie GiffonielloA MapA ChallengeVision in PracticeArticulating a VisionImplementing a VisionSummaryApplication7.1 Case Study: A Clean Slate7.2 Case Study: Kakenya Ntaiya7.3 Leadership Vision Questionnaire7.4 Observational Exercise7.5 Reflection and Action WorksheetReferences8. Establishing a Constructive ClimateIntroductionConstructive Climate ExplainedClimate in PracticeProviding StructureClarifying NormsBuilding CohesivenessPromoting Standards of ExcellenceLeadership Snapshot: Nancy DubucSummaryApplication8.1 Case Study: A Tale of Two Classrooms8.2 Case Study: Challenging Courtroom Culture8.3 Organizational Climate Questionnaire8.4 Observational Exercise8.5 Reflection and Action WorksheetReferences9. Embracing Diversity and InclusionIntroductionDiversity and Inclusion ExplainedDefinitionsInclusion FrameworkLeadership Snapshot: Ursula BurnsDiversity and Inclusion in PracticeModel of Inclusive PracticesLeader Practices That Advance Diversity and InclusionBarriers to Embracing Diversity and InclusionSummaryApplication9.1 Case Study: What′s in a Name?9.2 Case Study: Mitch Landrieu - Symbolic Progress9.3 Cultural Diversity Awareness Questionnaire9.4 Observation Exercise9.5 Reflection and Action WorksheetReferences10. Listening to Out-Group MembersIntroductionOut-Group Members ExplainedHow Out-Groups FormThe Impact of Out-Group MembersOut-Group Members in PracticeStrategy 1: Listen to Out-Group MembersStrategy 2: Show Empathy to Out-Group MembersStrategy 3: Recognize the Unique Contributions of Out-Group MembersStrategy 4: Help Out-Group Members Feel IncludedStrategy 5: Create a Special Relationship with Out-Group MembersStrategy 6: Give Out-Group Members a Voice and Empower Them to ActLeadership Snapshot: Abraham LincolnSummaryApplication10.1 Case Study: Next Step10.2 Case Study: Unhappy Campers10.3 Building Community Questionnaire10.4 Observational Exercise10.5 Reflection and Action WorksheetReferences11. Managing ConflictIntroductionConflict ExplainedCommunication ConflictConflict on the Content LevelLeadership Snapshot: Humaira BachalConflict on the Relational LevelManaging Conflict in PracticeFisher and Ury Approach to ConflictCommunication Strategies for Conflict ResolutionKilmann and Thomas Styles of Approaching ConflictSummaryApplication11.1 Case Study: Office Space11.2 Case Study: High Water Mark11.3 Conflict Style Questionnaire11.4 Observational Exercise11.5 Reflection and Action WorksheetReferences12. Addressing Ethics in LeadershipIntroductionLeadership Ethics ExplainedLeadership Ethics in Practice1. The Character of the Leader2. The Actions of the LeaderLeadership Snapshot: Jasmine Crowe3. The Goals of the Leader4. The Honesty of the Leader5. The Power of the Leader6. The Values of the LeaderCulture and Leadership EthicsSummaryApplication12.1 Case Study: The Write Choice12.2 Case Study: In Good Company12.3 Sample Items From the Ethical Leadership Style Questionnaire12.4 Observational Exercise12.5 Reflection and Action WorksheetReferences13. Overcoming ObstaclesIntroductionObstacles ExplainedOvercoming Obstacles in PracticeObstacle 1: Unclear GoalsObstacle 2: Unclear DirectionsObstacle 3: Low MotivationLeadership Snapshot: Bill CourtneyObstacle 4: Complex TasksObstacle 5: Simple TasksObstacle 6: Low InvolvementObstacle 7: Lack of a ChallengeSummaryApplication13.1 Case Study: Student Maid13.2 Case Study: The Improbable Kodiak Bears13. 3 Path-Goal Styles Questionnaire13.4 Observational Exercise13.5 Reflection and Action WorksheetReferences14. Exploring Destructive LeadershipDestructive Leadership ExplainedDefinitionToxic TriangleConfronting Destructive Leadership in PracticeLeadersFollowersContextLeadership Snapshot: Elizabeth HolmesSummaryApplication14.1 Case Study: Dr. Chen Likes Power14.2 Case Study: Breaking the Silence14.3 Abusive Leadership Questionnaire14.4 Observational Exercise14.5 Reflection and Action WorksheetReferencesGlossaryIndex