Description
The evolution of leadership into a widely accepted concept occurred without any shared understanding and acceptance of its meaning and relevance in contemporary society. Why do some people become leaders? What is the source and legitimacy of leadership power? This book journeys into the heart of the relationship between leaders and followers, the social space and the arena where both contest and collaboration take place and leadership itself is played out.
In the book, Morgen Witzel moves beyond traditional traits and skills framing, offering a fresh, historical analysis that involves many different actors with different motives and needs. By analysing the evolution of power relationships, the book analyses the interactions around how power is used and control is bargained for to illuminate the centrepiece of leadership.
A wide-ranging history of a slippery subject, this book provides students, scholars and reflective practitioners with an empirical, historical base on which to test their own ideas and experiences.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction. Part I Leadership Through the Ages
2 Power, Authority and Leadership
3 The Social Space of Leadership
4 The Acceptance of Leadership
Part II Servants of God
5 Leadership and Divine Connections
6 The Divine Right to Lead
7 God is My Co-Pilot: Leaders with God on Their Side
8 The Divine Spark: Spiritual Inspiration in Leadership
Part III Servants of Power
9 Authoritarianism and Totalitarianism
10 Autocratic Leaders
11 Leadership by Conquest
12 Leadership in Revolutions
Part IV Servants of the People
13 Followership
14 Connecting Leaders With Followers
15 Reluctant Leaders
16 Servant Leaders
Part V Servants of Darkness
17 Dark Followers
18 Terrorist Leaders
19 Leadership in Criminal Organisations
20 Leadership in Cults
21 Conclusion
Bibliography
Index
