Leadership: A Communication Perspective, Eighth Edition

For almost four decades, Leadership: A Communication Perspective has provided an authoritative, compelling, user-friendly introduction to leading as a communication-based activity. The eighth edition is significantly revised to address the challenges posed to leadership in a time of accelerating change. Initial explorations focus on the communication perspective on leadership, the importance of followership, and the relationship between power and influence. Throughout the chapters on leadership styles, theory, and contexts, the authors emphasize the role of ethics, emotions, feedback, identity, storytelling, collaboration, intersectionality, leading diverse followers, communicating expectations, and fostering inclusion/belonging. The chapter on leader development includes mentoring and coaching as inherent parts of the leadership journey. Several features engage readers and enhance their comprehension. Self-assessments help readers measure their communication skills, follower orientation, sense of power, upward dissent, nonverbal immediacy, leadership style, motivation to lead, feedback orientation, ethical leadership, crisis preparedness, and resilience. Case studies examine leadership situations and pose thoughtful questions, prompting readers to apply what they have learned. Research highlights dissect seminal and recent scholarship for practical applications. Every chapter concludes with chapter takeaways to reinforce important concepts, application exercises to practice and reflect on chapter content, and cultural connections to address leadership expectations and behaviors in other cultures. Communication is key to establishing relationships, building trust, managing conflicts, influencing perceptions, fostering shared visions, motivating engagement, and inspiring innovation—key aspects of leadership. Effective leaders navigate challenging situations by being mindful of the needs of their audiences—creating a psychologically safe environment, providing constructive feedback, and encouraging discussion and dissent. The newest edition furthers the tradition of combining theory and research with practical advice for improving leadership effectiveness through exceptional communication. Titles of related interest available from Waveland Press: Britt-Napoli, Facilitative Leadership: Building Capacity for Divisive Times (ISBN 9781478657408); Forsyth, Leadership: Theories and Applications (ISBN 9781478653899); McMahon, Leadership Classics (9781577666387); and Sylvia, Leadership through the Ages (9781577666219).