
Leadership and Rhetoric
The Nature and Role of Words in Leadership
M. Todd Bates(Author)
Routledge (Publisher)
1st Edition
Will be published approx. on 3. December 2025
Book
Hardback
128 pages
978-1-032-74345-5 (ISBN)
Description
Rhetoric is not about communication tips or slick methods for grabbing attention. It is, rather, a skill of understanding the point at issue in complex moments, seeing a solution, and moving people to the most desirable future. Connecting classic works of rhetoric to contemporary studies of leadership, this book draws from the long history and wisdom of rhetoric that has proven effective in the dynamic ambiguities of the leadership context. It clarifies how these works help leaders shape their environments through words - interpreting complex circumstances, framing experiences that provide group understanding, and creating a basis for structured action. From its inception, rhetoric has been about attunement to particular circumstances, recognizing the constraints and obstacles that present opportunities for the perceptive leader who can see and articulate ways of moving people forward to a more desirable future. This book makes an explicit connection between classic works and current ideas of rhetorical leadership, a growing area of higher education, and research in leadership studies.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Postgraduate
Dimensions
Height: 222 mm
Width: 145 mm
Thickness: 11 mm
Weight
309 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-032-74345-5 (9781032743455)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
12/2025
1st Edition
Routledge
€31.49
Available for download

E-Book
12/2025
1st Edition
Routledge
€31.49
Available for download
Person
M. Todd Bates is President and Professor of Humanities at Christ College, USA.
Content
1. Foundations: The Art of Rhetoric and Discursive Leadership 2. Ancient Rhetoric: Leading Minds by Means of Words 3. Aristotle on the Power of the Right Word and the Right Moment 4. Cicero on Talking with Purpose 5. Words that Transform and Leaders that Use Them: From "Seeing" to "Say-ing" to "Showing."