Leadership Theory: Cultivating Critical Perspectives

by John P. Dugan

An interdisciplinary survey text on leadership theory grounded using critical perspectives Leadership Theory is designed specifically for use in undergraduate or graduate classrooms providing a comprehensive overview of essential theories informing the leadership studies knowledgebase. The text infuses critical perspectives in a developmental manner that guides readers through increasingly complex ways in which theory can be deconstructed and reconstructed to enhance practice and advance social justice.  The book uses compelling examples, critically reflective questions, and multiple approaches to concept illustration to cultivate readers' abilities to engage as critical learners. At the heart of this are powerful counter-narratives offering a range of insights on the challenges and rewards of leadership. Narratives represent accomplished leaders from across a broad range of fields including Eboo Patel, Mary Morten, Felice Gorordo, and more. The facilitator's guide and instructor's website supplement this with case studies, sample syllabi, structured dialogues, and learning activities tied to each chapter. Leadership texts tend to limit application of theory to a singular disciplinary context, omit important ways in which research evolves the understanding of theory, and/or lack critical evaluation of theories which diminishes the ability to translate theory to practice. This book provides a much-needed solution to these issues. The rapid expansion of leadership programs has thrown the dearth of suitable primary texts into sharp relief. Instructors forced to cobble together course materials from multiple piecemeal sources will find their much-needed solution in Leadership Theory .

Genres: Leadership, Teaching

416 pages, Hardcover

Published February 13, 2017

Reviews

[Rachel Biritz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dugan uses a very dry approach to examine leadership theory. He puts way too much of his personal opinion into the text. Deconstructing and reconstructing the theories does not give a fresh take on the theories, it frustrates the learner more.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gives a systematic overview of leadership theory from a critical perspective. Dugan doesn't take a specific critical framework through the book but rather demonstrates the action of critically interrogating each theory as he discusses it. I appreciate the emphasis on the practice of analysis, but at times found that analysis forced. I would love this book to be used to teach leadership to undergrad business majors though. It would be an interesting intro to leadership text. It helped me give a framework to leadership theory as a discipline and gave me a good foundation for further learning.

[Hannah Colston · Rating 4 out of 5]

How in the world am I meant to remember all this!!!!!! There were 20 theories discussed in this book and all of them are still being used and studied like be so fr I can’t keep up w all this.

It was a well written book though! The author had a nice way of speaking to the read imo. However, I wish it was easier to refer back to something like I know part of that is bc with a physical copy I could have highlighted and just followed back easier but I also wish the author would have just stated it again to be like this is like in the theories in the previous chapter. This way I didn’t have to dig to figure out if I was right or had just been reading too many theories in a day.

[Will Whitworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much praise for this text. I love how Dugan structured his analysis of the history of leadership theory, clarifying that the "story most often told" of leadership history is itself biased. I also love the structured approach of deconstruction and reconstruction, training the reader to develop the tools to evaluate theories on their own.

This book provided me with a very strong foundation of leadership theories, many of which I will pull from in order to construct and alter my own working theory throughout my career.

[Jean Lupinacci · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to read this for my first doctoral class in Global Catholic Education Leadership. It was very helpful to me both in theory and praxis. The case studies after each chapter helped to underscore the points made.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never read a textbook with cuss words before, but I kinda liked it.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for the Leadership Theory and Practice in Higher Education course I am teaching. Students find it engaging and actually read the chapters!

[Josie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dry but informative narration

[Matt Beck · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't appreciate Dugan's sarcastic writing style. He appears to be very biased toward certain styles and does not critique leadership theories uniformly. Would not recommend. If you are looking for a book on Leadership Theory try Leadership by Peter Northouse 7th edition. Avoid this book. It does not belong in acadamia.