Leadership: A Critical Introduction

Leadership is crucial to the success of any organisation. But how can one seek to most effectively develop the leadership ability of both themselves, and others? How should one define leadership? Are great leaders born or made?

This text addresses such fundamental questions via a comprehensive and critical approach to the discussion of key leadership theories. The text encourages the reader to consider the role of both follower and leader in the leadership process, and to recognise the emergence of both effective, and destructive, leadership.　

Each chapter features 'Expert Insights' on leadership, written by leaders in their respective fields. These insights offer the reader a valuable real-world perspective of leadership that enriches the abstract theory covered in each chapter. The provision of case studies, examples and supplementary online material provide the effective delivery of both undergraduate and postgraduate lectures and workshops, and self-guided study. A concluding chapter that focuses on the development of one's self-leadership ultimately facilitates a comprehensive introduction to what is at once a seductive, complex, transformative and alluring topic.

Elesa Zehndorfer was awarded a PhD from Loughborough University in 2006. Her thesis, entitled　From the Locker Room to the Boardroom: Developing Leaders through Sport, focused on the use of collegiate sport as a means of developing leadership and other desirable executive competencies. Dr. Zehndorfer has worked in both corporate and academic environments, and has held senior lectureships in sports and business faculties.　 In addition to lecturing at undergraduate, graduate and doctoral level, Dr. Zehndorfer has presented at a number of European and North American conferences. Current leadership positions include General Secretary of IFAF (the International Federation of American Football) and Research Officer for British high-IQ society Mensa.