Contents: Preface 1. Why Study Leadership from a Philosophical Perspective? 2. Why are There so Many Different Theories of Leadership? 3. Why is it so Difficult to Study Leadership? 4. What Goes on in the Relationship between Leaders and Followers? 5. What is Charismatic Leadership? 6. What is so Important About the ‘Vision-Thing’? 7. How do Leaders Lead Change? Co-authored with Martin Wood and John Pillay 8. How Can Individuals Take Up the Leader Role Wisely? 9. What Has it Meant to Rethink Leadership? Bibliography Index
Donna Ladkin, Professor of Inclusive Leadership, Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham, UK
‘Books about leadership abound, often generalizing from a heroic
leader’s own experiences or reflecting the latest incremental
advances in scholarly theorizing. Rethinking Leadership is
different in that Ladkin questions the key questions of leadership
thinking and thus arrives at a radically different conception of
leadership. It is a welcome conception that recognizes the
embodied, sensual, felt nature of leadership as an ongoing process
involving leaders and followers within a particular context. For
the complex and challenging times we live in, we need complex and
challenging conceptions of leadership and Donna Ladkin has given us
an excellent starting place.’
*Steve Taylor, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, US*
‘Beautifully written, insightful and novel, this book departs
nicely from mainstream views on leadership and can be strongly
recommended to anyone wanting a new look on the complexities,
meanings and dynamics of leadership and workplace relations.’
*Mats Alvesson, Lund University, Sweden*
‘Donna Ladkin’s inspiring and informed book breaks new ground in
leadership studies. Writing lucidly, warmly and accessibly, Ladkin
makes philosophy to bear on some key themes of leadership. Picking
up concepts from philosophy’s all time greats, she enriches the
existing leadership discourse powerfully. Questions of “charisma”,
“vision”, indeed the nature of leadership itself, are cast in fresh
settings, and they become alive. Skilfully avoiding becoming
overtly abstract, with a keen eye to examples, Donna Ladkin
delivers a delightful, elevating and original contribution to the
rethinking of leadership.’
*Esa Saarinen, Helsinki University of Technology, Finland*
‘Adopting a post-positivist phenomenological perspective inspired
by the writings of Husserl and Heidegger among others, Donna Ladkin
crafts a series of philosophical questions that prompt the reader
to deconstruct and reposition many habitually held views of leaders
and leadership. Through her deep questioning, Ladkin reminds us
that wisdom - the virtue of practical circumspection - is central
to the ethical and aesthetic moment of leading. Rethinking
Leadership is a refreshing and much-needed re-evaluation of the
field, which should be read by anyone with a serious interest in
the subject.’
*Peter Case, University of the West of England, UK*
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