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 is a professor emeritus of communication in the School of Communication at Western Michigan University. For more than 25 years he taught leadership and interpersonal and organizational communication at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. In addition to publications in professional journals he is the author of Leadership: Theory and Practice (9th ed.) and Introduction to Leadership: Concepts and Practice (6th ed.) and co-author 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 master’s and bachelor’s degrees in communication education from Michigan State University.

 

Reviews

"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*

“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*

"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*

"This textbook is a very useful introduction to the fundamental concepts and practices of leadership. The background theoretical inputs are short, snappy and relevant and designed to engage and inspire students towards further study...The interactive features are definitely the distinguishing factor of this textbook and allow readers to apply theoretical concepts to practice. With its use of questionnaires, reflective analyses, action planning worksheets and observational exercises, the textbook provides a valuable mechanism for transferring knowledge into practice."
*Journal of European Industrial Training*

“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, ©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*

"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*

"I have been looking for a good intro to Leadership [book] with class exercises—this is it!"
*Richard Bell*

"This text is critical, concise, theory based, and engages students with activities."
*Lauren Williams*

"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*