Applied Leadership Development

by Al Bolea, Leanne Atwater

Intended for courses on leadership, practicing managers, consultants, and practitioners, this approachable guide teaches readers about how to become a leader. By blending the real-world insights of business executive Al Bolea with tested research findings provided by leadership scholar Leanne Atwater, it effectively bridges theory and practice to outline powerful leadership behaviors. Based on Bolea’s original "J-Curve" model of leadership, the authors identify and describe nine essential elements for leadership mastery, including skills such as setting direction, creating key proceses, and nurturing behaviors. Each chapter pairs concrete narratives with succinct research synopses to show how to expand the potential of people and organizations. A unique, experiential text, Applied Leadership Development engages students with self-reflection and self-assessment exercises, and encourages them in their own development as future leaders.

328 pages, Paperback

First published August 27, 2015

Reviews

[Patty Apostolides · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bolea and Atwater, through concrete examples, show how the J-Curve model in leadership describes the different steps a leader takes to bring his followers toward a successful goal. Topics like setting direction, building a team, key processes, stewardship, and nurturing are some of the steps discussed in this model. Leading is a complicated process, and these authors give insights into how a leader overcomes obstacles and moves forward by applying this model.