Reflections on Leadership

Reviews / Votes

Richard Couto has assembled a diverse group of noted leadership scholars, all influenced in some way by James MacGregor Burns's Leadership, and by Burns himself. Reflections on Leadership is an outstanding addition to the leadership literature and a wonderful and thoughtful tribute to Jim Burns. -- Ronald E. Reggio, Henry R. Kravis Professor of Leadership and Organizational Psychology; Director, Kravis Leadership Institute, Claremont McKenna If the hallmark of a great work of art or scholarship is the compulsion it sparks to keep pondering its revelations, its mysteries, and its creator, then James MacGregor Burns's path breaking volume, Leadership fits the bill. In Reflections on Leadership, Richard Couto assembles a distinguished group of contributors to examine critically Burns's foundational oeuvre, as well as his unique persona and field-shaping initiatives, through multiple prisims-theoretical, practical, historical, and personal. We even hear Burns, himself, thoughtfully, humorously, and modestly musing about his intellectual U-turns and where he currently is heading. Don't miss this gem! -- Jean Lipman-Blumen, Thorton Bradshaw Professor of Public Policy; Peter F. Drucker and Masatoshi Ito School of Management, Claremont University; auth For the student of leadership, [this book] offers a challenging 'insider's view' of how leadership scholars view leadership.... -- Peter G. Northouse, Professor of Communication at Western Michigan University and author of Leadership: Theory and Practice The book's deft editing guides readers through the separate chapters; integrates the contributors' perspectives into a theoretical construct; and concludes with a synthesis of new perspectives around three shortcomings of Leadership. As a whole, the volume looks back at a classic in the emerging field of leadership studies, addresses central challenges left to us, and offers direction for the field's continued evolution. -- Al Goethals, professor, Robins Distinguished Chair at Jepson School of Leadership, University of Richmond; general co-editor Encyclopedia