Leadership: Understanding the Dynamics of Power and Influence in Organizations Book

In today's climate of tremendous personal and professional pressures, those who lead often yearn for a deeper understanding of how best to marshal and manage the human resources at their disposal. In this book, Robert P. Vecchio brings together the best of current scholarship and practical wisdom in a text that is academically grounded and also a good read. Given the climate in which organizations now operate?downsizing, new participatory emphases, increasing diversity, globalization, greater legal constraints?supervisors and administrators need to make ever more effective use of the talents they direct. In response to these challenges, a growing number of universities offer a class in leadership as an elective at the upper-division and/or graduate level. But until now there has been an unfilled need for a strong, well-researched yet interesting text designed specifically for these classes. In Leadership, Vecchio meets this pressing need not only in the sections he authors but also in those chosen by him as editor. An anthology of key writings by renowned contributors, this volume offers advanced students of business, sociology, and psychology an excellent overview of the major issues and theories that concern the field of leadership. For those already in the workplace?professional business people as well as educators, health care workers, public administrators, law enforcement personnel, and directors of not-for-profit groups?this collection delivers the very best from widely recognized journals and periodicals in the areas of general management and leadership. The book explores six facets of leadership: the myths and facts of what leaders do, power and influence, dysfunctional aspects of leadership, models of leadership, alternative views of leadership, and emerging issues. To all those whose vocational or avocational choices call them to positions of leadership, this volume offers insight, hope, and skills to handle well the challenge of guiding others.Read More