Introduction to Leadership: Concepts and Practice

A practical, applied introduction to the art of leadership

Offering a straightforward introduction to the basic principles of leadership, Peter G. Northouse′s Introduction to Leadership: Concepts and Practice focuses on providing readers with practical strategies for becoming better leaders. An applied text by the author of the SAGE best-seller Leadership: Theory and Practice, Fourth Edition, this new text provides the much needed "how-to" component of leading for students in leadership courses.

Three interactive components in every chapter―self-assessment questionnaires, observational exercises, and reflection and action worksheets―get readers actively involved in applying leadership concepts to their own lives. Grounded in leadership theory, yet accessible and reader-friendly, this book covers a fundamental aspect of leadership in each chapter and illustrates its application in real leadership situations. A final chapter discusses the key topic of ethics in leadership.

Key Features

• Looks at one quality of leadership per chapter, making it easier for readers to understand and apply material to their own lives
• Uses examples and case studies to illustrate each fundamental aspect of leadership (creating a vision, listening to out-group members, and overcoming obstacles, for example)
• Encourages readers to complete a Self-Assessment Questionnaire before reading each chapter to explore their own leadership styles and preferences
• Guides readers in examining behaviors of leaders from their own lives through each chapter′s Observational Exercise
• Includes Reflection and Action Worksheets that encourage readers to reflect upon their own leadership styles and identify an action plan for improving their leadership skills

Instructor Resources on CD, including PowerPoint slides, a test bank, writing assignments, and chapter reviews, are available to qualified instructors by contacting SAGE Customer Care at 1-800-818-SAGE (7243) between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. PST.

Introduction to Leadership: Concepts and Practice is intended as a primary text for leadership courses in departments of business, communication, education, public administration, or other departments. It can also be used in student activities, continuing education, corporate training, executive development, in-service training, and government or military training programs.

"An outstanding introductory text for new leaders! Northouse combines self-knowledge with essential competencies that every effective leader should possess."
―Barry L. Boyd, Texas A&M University

"For four editions and more than a decade, its concise, intelligent, insightful introduction to the study of leadership has made "Northouse" [Leadership: Theory and Practice, Fourth Edition, SAGE, ©2007] the go-to text for students and teachers. With this book, Peter Northouse has done the same for the practice of leadership."
―Richard A. Couto, Antioch University, Senior Scholar, Burns Academy, Reflections on Leadership (ed.)

"I have followed Peter Northouse′s work for years. He has written another excellent book, this time a perfect introductory book for the new student of leadership."
―Carl Larson, University of Denver

Looking for other titles for your Leadership courses? SAGE has published over 500 books on Leadership, and we′ve developed a web page to help you find just the right one for your class. Click here to browse our selection.

Peter G. Northouse, PhD, is Professor Emeritus of Communication in the School of Communication at Western Michigan University. Leadership: Theory and Practice is the best-selling academic textbook on leadership in the world and has been translated into 15 languages. In addition to authoring publications in professional journals, he is the author of Introduction to Leadership: Concepts and Practice (now in its sixth edition) and co-author of Leadership Case Studies in Education (now in its fourth edition) and Health Communication: Strategies for Health Professionals (now in its third edition). His scholarly and curricular interests include models of leadership, leadership assessment, ethical leadership, and leadership and group dynamics. For more than 40 years, he has taught courses in leadership, interpersonal communication, and organizational communication on both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Currently, he is a consultant and lecturer on trends in leadership research, leadership development, and leadership education. He holds a doctorate in speech communication from the University of Denver, and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in communication education from Michigan State University.