Effective Leadership

Citation

Katie Rosenbusch (2013), "Effective Leadership", European Journal of Training and Development, Vol. 37 No. 8, pp. 781-783. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJTD-05-2013-0065

This book is an all-encompassing textbook on leadership. The authors point out that “one useful way of classifying leadership theory and research is by the levels of analysis” (p. 17). Therefore, they break the book down into three sections: individuals as leaders, team leadership and leadership in organisations. It embodies all the necessary components to understand effective leadership.

The authors begin by focusing on “who is a leader” examining the skills, behaviors and roles leaders play. They provide an overview of the text which gives the reader a roadmap to what lies ahead. The following chapters outline traits and behaviors that are important as leaders along with how ethical leadership impacts organisations. It overviews all of the key theories that have been researched on leadership over the last few decades highlighting Blake, Mouton, and McCanse leadership grid, path-goal theory, and contingency/behavioral theories. The last component of the section on individuals as leaders examines how power, politics, networks and negotiation play an integral part into an effective leader. It provides an overview to the sources of power and how the power can change the dynamics of organisational politics.

The next section focuses on team leadership. The authors highlight the importance of communication and conflict management in groups. Coaching has become an important skill that leaders need to develop. This book presents a coaching model for improving performance and provides information on constructive coaching feedback. The other chapters discuss followership and leader-member exchange (LMX) theory. This book goes a step further than most leadership books by explaining team-member exchange theory. The authors provide an overview of when to use to teams in organizations and the advantages and disadvantages of teamwork along with ways to improve teams.

The final section looks at leadership in organisations. They begin by discussing transformational and charismatic leadership. The authors state that “organisations are faced with the need to adapt or perish” (p. 303). They explain the importance of why transformational leaders are integral to the survival of organizations and change management. They highlight organisational culture and the impact a leader can have on the outcomes of an organisation. The last items discussed were strategic leadership and the learning organisation. One of the principles they explain is the responsibility a strategic leader has in dealing with crisis management. It provides specifics as to what a leader must do in a crisis including planning and communication.

Evaluation

This text does an excellent job of covering all the basis of leadership. It outlines the core components at each level and is strongly grounded in theory while maintaining practical examples and activities for application. The authors do an excellent job of covering the theory and models of leadership that is manageable for either an undergraduate or graduate student to understand. The use of cases both written and video provide a good source of applicable knowledge for any reader. It provides a more comprehensive approach compared to other authors such as Northouse (2012) who provide a more condensed version of the leadership theories and practice.

One of the creative features of this text is its use of work application and “you make the ethical call” questions throughout the chapters. By asking the questions as the reader goes along reinforces the learning and applicability of the theory. The students will be able to take the theory and then place themselves in the role of the leader to analyse the situations. This reflective component solidifies the knowledge and understanding.

The major drawback to this text is the length. It is challenging to cover all this material within one semester or quarter. The faculty member will ultimately have to pick and choose what topics they believe are the priority for the course. As a faculty member that has used a version of this text I found it difficult narrow down what topics to use because they all seemed important.

One of the significant aspects in the growth and development of a leader is the assessment of their own ability, skills and behaviors (Day et al., 2004). This text provides a number of questionnaires and assessments that are at the heart of leadership research. By promoting self-awareness through the use of instruments students will be able to understand their own competence and capability as a leader.

In the author's on words

The overarching goal of this book is reflected in its subtitle: theory, application, skill development. We developed the total package to teach leadership theory and concepts, to improve ability to apply the theory through critical thinking, and to develop leadership skills (p. xv).

About the reviewer

Katie Rosenbusch (EdD, The George Washington University) has over ten years of experience in training and development with private and non-profit organizations, including three years living in Indonesia where she served as the regional manager and corporate trainer for a specialty coffee company. It was this international experience that inspired her current academic interests in cross-cultural adjustment, international human resources, and global leadership development. Dr Rosenbusch is the Co-founder of the Rosenbusch Institute of Leadership which has provided leadership and personal development training to over 3,000 high school students throughout the USA. She has provided training nationally and internationally on a variety of topics including motivation, leadership styles, followership, and cross-cultural development. She is also a certified cross-cultural coach.