Exploring Leadership

The authors have managed to distinguish this book from other textbook-type resources on the topic of leadership by adopting an explicitly critical, interdisciplinary and multilevel approach while remaining balanced in their assessments. * W. Fourie, Albert Luthuli Leadership Institute, University of Pretoria, South Africa, Colombo Business Journal, December 2023 *
A highly accessible, well-argued, academically grounded and deeply thoughtful exploration of leadership studies from a critical yet constructive perspective... the authors have attempted and succeeded in asking how theoretical and conceptual advances help us understand the potential personal, organisational and societal impact of leadership research. * W. Fourie, Albert Luthuli Leadership Institute, University of Pretoria, South Africa, Colombo Business Journal, December 2023 *
Most textbooks on leadership are a litany of theories and research topics. This text is different. Exploring leadership is a truly interdisciplinary, and critical discussion of the complexity of leadership, and its important implications. Impressively, there are a number of features that facilitate student learning and engagement with the topics. This is an outstanding leadership textbook. * Ronald E. Riggio, Ph.D., Professor of Leadership & Organizational Psychology, Kravis Leadership Institute, Claremont McKenna College, California, USA *
This is a very accessible text that I will keep on my desk and not relegate to my bookcase! It is always so refreshing to find a second edition that revitalises and energises a discussion by recognising and clarifying both the nature and the pace of change taking place in our fast-moving and complex world. That this is achieved whilst remaining true to the passions and influence of James McGregor Burns that scholarly insights and strong concepts become powerful only when they translate into practical application and are tested with experience is remarkable. Your patience with its comprehensiveness, its rigour and clarity will pay significant dividends. * Mike Hardy, Professor Mike Hardy CMG OBE, Chair, International Leadership Association, Founding Director, Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations at Coventry University, UK *
At this point in time, when humanity is facing threats to climate, environment, and democracy, it is hard to imagine a more comprehensive and relevant textbook. The combined expertise and experience of three of the leading scholars of Leadership Studies in UK facilitate the exploration of an in-depth understanding of leadership as a process of social influence in mobilizing change. It is a must on the required reading lists for undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, and executive students around the world. * Christer Sandahl, Professor Emeritus, Medical Management Centre, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden *
I have never come across such an ambitious and well-executed tour of the leadership terrain. Spanning historical, societal, psychological, cross-cultural and global perspectives, this book succeeds remarkably well in being both scholarly and accessible. What is more, it is useful and challenging for the reader. Elements of good learning design are integrated within each chapter flowing from learning objectives at the outset, through well-constructed activities to an excellent chapter summary with review questions. Taking a critical perspective, the book concludes with a powerful provocation to reroute the field of leadership studies, and this rings true of the ethical and inclusive implications thrown up by an ever more complex world. * Doug Parkin, Principal Adviser for Leadership and Management at Advance HE (UK), and an independent author on higher education *
This is the leadership text we need: critical, interdisciplinary, multi-level, and balanced. The authors engage the complexity of the present, analyze the past, and challenge the future of leadership thinking and practice. I cant wait to share this resource with my students. * Kerry Priest, Associate Professor, Staley School of Leadership, Kansas State University, USA *
Exploring Leadership strikes the perfect balance between theory and practice, with theoretical discussions being linked to a variety of reflection activities, group exercises and international case studies that encourage readers to bring their own thoughts and experiences to conversations about leadership. The textbook inspires curiosity about what leadership is and what the ever-changing world and workplace needs it to be, making it essential reading for 21st century leadership students the world over! * Jorandi Scholtz, Impact and Partnership Development Manager MBA Corporate Engagement, University of Exeter, UK, Alumni of the Exeter MBA, 2018 *
I would rather ask, Why not another book on leadership? for students and practitioners of management in the post pandemic era. Exploring Leadership gives a fair opportunity to the readers to conceptualize the concept from various perspectives e.g., perspective of self, (traits, styles, competencies, emergence, management of emotions), organizational perspective (stakeholders, strategy and change, power and politics), global and environmental perspective (digital, gender, diversity and inclusion, cross cultural and ethics). The book gives a future direction to leadership researchers and it is written in a lucid and practical manner. It is a delight to read the book. * Ajay Jain, Professor of Leadership and Organizational Behavior, Management Development Institute Gurgaon, India *
Why yet another book about leadership? Bolden, Hawkins and Gosling ask at the beginning of the second edition of Exploring Leadership. Because unlike so many other recipe-based leadership textbook, this one bravely critiques the theory and practice of leadership, while situating the phenomenon squarely within our contemporary context. As well as providing a comprehensive, multi-level account of leadership, the text is filled with prompts for individual reflection, group activities and up-to-date case studies, creating a treasure trove of resources for leadership educators at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. * Donna Ladkin, Professor of Inclusive Leadership, Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham, UK *
There may be many thousands of books on leadership, but this book should grab your attention. The knowledge, wisdom and practicality of what is on offer will be a must for anyone trying to get to grips with understanding leadership. The authors engagingly and critically embrace an integrative perspective of leadership from individual, organisational and societal orientations. Yet they go beyond this and embrace the thorny issues of politics and organising, ethics and power, responsibility and sustainability, and diversity and inclusion. Your choice to invest money and time into this book will offer a dividend to exceed most of your investments it will set you up to rethink leadership and enhance your approach to leading that will yield enhanced leadership relations for the many you engage with and the purposes you pursue. * Steve Kempster, Professor of Leadership Learning and Development, Lancaster University Management School, UK *
This hugely enjoyable book is wise, insightful, and well written. It doesnt hesitate to challenge conventional wisdom when needed. It is that rare thing in leadership studies a book that tells us what we really need to know about leadership, whether we are in senior roles or not. Bravo! We can all benefit from its important insights. * Dennis Tourish, Professor of Leadership and Organisation Studies, University of Sussex Business School, Brighton, UK *
I am even more impressed by the scope, the relevance and the quality of thinking that infuses the second edition of this important leadership book. By skilfully weaving together individual, organizational, and societal perspectives on leadership, the authors will no doubt inspire a new generation of leadership researchers to do work that genuinely matters. * Brad Jackson, Professor Brad Jackson, MBA Director, Waikato Management School/Te Raupapa, University of Waikato, Aotearoa, New Zealand *
Exploring Leadership, in its second edition, extends its explanation of the changing face of leadership in the current, and emergent, VUCA environment. The significant contribution made by the authors is through the presentation of theory balanced with 'go ask, go see, go do' activities and reflections. In so doing the book itself demonstrates the importance, and power, of viewing leading as an activity that enables the reader, as practitioner in, researcher of, and emerging student practitioners, to make sense of, and participate in, the shared activity of leadership. * Sandra Jones, Professor Emerita, School of Management, RMIT, Australia *
Organizational and societal discontinuities and existential threats are challenging conventional perspectives on leadership. Exploring Leadership responds exceptionally well to these challenges by mapping the field and presenting an account of leadership that does not gloss over theoretical complexity and contestation. The authors weave a scintillating collection of topics into a convincing guide for those interested in understanding why leadership matters. * Willem Fourie, Associate Professor, Albert Luthuli Leadership Institute, University of Pretoria, South Africa *
This is not just another book about leadership. It is a deeply profound exploration replete with engaging examples and case studies that illuminate the realities of leadership in extraordinary ways and connect the study of leadership with its practice. Bolden, Hawkins, and Gosling have gifted us with a book rich in content and creative ways to ponder, practice, and develop leadership. It is the book about leadership. * Cynthia Cherry, President and CEO, International Leadership Association, Washington DC, USA *
This text offers and contemporary and applied insight into leadership. Theoretical concepts are considered alongside contemporary issues, providing a holistic insight into one of the most relevant topics for business students in the current climate. * Catherine Hine, University of Plymouth *
A clearly written, easily accessible, very well-informed book on leadership. Excellent exercises and case studies invite students to engage effectively. * Bob Thomson, University of Warwick *
This insightful leadership textbook offers an in-depth literature review of key topics and themes and is supported by well-planned class exercises. * Dr Katy Warden, Canterbury Christ Church University *
A really well researched leadership text that will help the students to focus their mind on a topic that is so often misunderstood. * Edward Collins, University of Reading *
A source of balanced and multi-faceted views on leadership, with solid academic anchoring. Practically applicable as a source to explore, in teams or individually, the phenomenon of leadership. * Martijn Rademakers, University of Amsterdam *
The book provides valuable insights on leadership from an individual, organizational and societal perspective. * Christian Harrison, University of the West of Scotland *