Myths of Leadership
Banish the Misconceptions and Become a Great Leader
1st Edition
Published on 3. October 2017
Book
Paperback/Softback
288 pages
978-0-7494-8074-5 (ISBN)
Description
WINNER: CMI Management Book of the Year 2019 - Aspiring Leaders Category
The best leaders are born, not made. The best leaders are always in control. The best leaders are those with the highest IQs. But are they really?
The thinking surrounding what makes the greatest leaders is increasingly muddled by stereotypes, snake oil promises and pseudo-science. The best leaders rely on fact, not fads. Myths of Leadership blasts away the fluff and confronts false legends head on. Jo Owen uses the most credible research to analyze each myth, using international business case studies, leadership theory and insightful interviews, to uncover the truth.
This is a compelling and practical examination of the most pervasive misconceptions about leadership that will help you elevate your own leadership abilities, better inspire your team and empower your organization by thinking differently. Entertaining but evidence-based, Myths of Leadership throws out the management jargon and skewers over-hyped leadership trends to bring you the best practical tips you need to become a better leader.
The best leaders are born, not made. The best leaders are always in control. The best leaders are those with the highest IQs. But are they really?
The thinking surrounding what makes the greatest leaders is increasingly muddled by stereotypes, snake oil promises and pseudo-science. The best leaders rely on fact, not fads. Myths of Leadership blasts away the fluff and confronts false legends head on. Jo Owen uses the most credible research to analyze each myth, using international business case studies, leadership theory and insightful interviews, to uncover the truth.
This is a compelling and practical examination of the most pervasive misconceptions about leadership that will help you elevate your own leadership abilities, better inspire your team and empower your organization by thinking differently. Entertaining but evidence-based, Myths of Leadership throws out the management jargon and skewers over-hyped leadership trends to bring you the best practical tips you need to become a better leader.
Reviews / Votes
"Have I and other founders, academics and authors of leadership books been found out?! This stunning book questions the perceived wisdom of leadership theories based on empirical evidence that underpin the endless lists and counter lists produced to cajole leaders into improving their practice. Jo Owen has written an impressive analysis presented in an easy to read light hearted manner; providing the ultimate practical advice to all leaders - Leadership is a team game." * Professor Sonia Blandford, Founder and CEO Achievement for All, Professor of Education and Social Enterprise UCL, author 'Middle Leadership in Schools' * "If you want a cookie cutter approach on how to be a leader, buy another leadership book. If you want to understand the myths behind the cult of leadership and the practical steps you can take to improve as a leader, buy this one" * Graeme Duncan. Founder and CEO of Right to Succeed * "Myths of Leadership brilliantly exposes the most seductive "snake oil" that leaders - experienced and new - are exposed to, and more often than not succumb to. Jo Owen instead suggests a more grounded, practical but equally positive reality that helps leaders make a big step forward." * Sharath Jeevan, Founding CEO of STIR * "Jo Owen's newest book is full of pragmatic advice which cuts through the myths and rhetoric around leadership and really gets to the heart of what it is that makes great leaders. It is also full of great take away examples which are relevant at every stage of the leadership journey" * Natasha Porter, Founder and CEO of Unlocked Graduates *More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight
445 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7494-8074-5 (9780749480745)
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
New editions
Book
10/2022
2nd Edition
Kogan Page Ltd
€20.20
Shipment within 10-20 days
Person
Jo Owen is a best-selling and multi-award winning leadership author, keynote speaker and social entrepreneur. He is a founder of eight charities, including the UK's largest graduate recruiter Teach First. His books The Mindset of Success, The Leadership Skills Handbook and Management Stripped Bare, all published by Kogan Page, have been translated into eight different languages.
Content
Chapter - 00: Introduction;
Section - ONE: We Know What Leadership Is;
Chapter - 01: Myth 1 - We Know What Leadership Is;
Chapter - 02: Myth 2 - The Perfect Leader;
Chapter - 03: Myth 3 - Leadership is About Your Rank, Title or Position;
Chapter - 04: Myth 4 - Managers are Leaders;
Chapter - 05: Myth 5 - Leaders Know What Leadership Is;
Chapter - 06: Myth 6 - The Founder is the Leader;
Chapter - 07: Myth 7 - Leadership is Universal;
Section - TWO: We Know What Leaders Do;
Chapter - 08: Myth 8 - We Know What Leaders Do - Top Level Leaders;
Chapter - 09: Myth 9 - We Know What Leaders Do - Your Leadership Journey;
Chapter - 10: Myth 10 - Leaders Motivate their Followers;
Chapter - 11: Myth 11 - Leaders Communicate Well;
Chapter - 12: Myth 12 - Leaders are Decisive;
Chapter - 13: Myth 13 - Leaders Set Goals and Give Directions;
Chapter - 14: Myth 14 - Great Leaders Build Great Teams;
Chapter - 15: Myth 15 - The Leader Knows What's Going On;
Section - THREE: We Know What Leaders are Like - Character and Traits;
Chapter - 16: Myth 16 - Leaders are Born, not Bred;
Chapter - 17: Myth 17 - Leaders are Visionary;
Chapter - 18: Myth 18 - Leaders are Charismatic and Inspirational;
Chapter - 19: Myth 19 - Leaders are Honest;
Chapter - 20: Myth 20 - Leaders are Brave;
Chapter - 21: Myth 21 - The Leader is the Smartest Person in the Room;
Chapter - 22: Myth 22 - The Best Leaders are Clever;
Chapter - 23: Myth 23 - Male and Female Leaders are Different;
Chapter - 24: Myth 24 - Psychopaths Succeed as Leaders;
Chapter - 25: Myth 25 - Leaders are Reasonable;
Chapter - 26: Myth 26 - An Effective Leader is a Skilled Leader;
Section - FOUR: We Know How Leaders Succeed;
Chapter - 27: Myth 27 - Leaders Succeed on Merit;
Chapter - 28: Myth 28 - Leadership is About Survival of the Fittest;
Chapter - 29: Myth 29 - It's Not What You Know But Who You Know;
Chapter - 30: Myth 30 - Power Comes from Your Position;
Chapter - 31: Myth 31 - Leaders Need Experience;
Chapter - 32: Myth 32 - The First 90 Days;
Chapter - 33: Myth 33 - You Have to Manage Before You Can Lead;
Chapter - 34: Myth 34 - Sporting Heroes Show Us How to Lead;
Chapter - 35: Myth 35 - You Can Teach Leadership;
Chapter - 36: Myth 36 - Leaders Know When to Move On;
Section - FIVE: We Have a Theory of Leadership;
Chapter - 37: Myth 37 - The Great Man Theory of Leadership;
Chapter - 38: Myth 38 - Servant Leadership;
Chapter - 39: Myth 39 - The Humble Leader;
Chapter - 40: Myth 40 - Distributed Leadership;
Chapter - 41: Myth 41 - Transactional and Transformational Leadership;
Chapter - 42: Myth 42 - Authentic Leadership;
Chapter - 43: Myth 43 - Leadership is a Team Sport;
Chapter - 44: Myth 44 - Leadership and Money - The Dog That Didn't Bark;
Chapter - 45: Myth 45 - Leaders are Like Tea Bags;
Section - SIX: We Have Beliefs About Leadership;
Chapter - 46: Myth 46 - It's Lonely at the Top;
Chapter - 47: Myth 47 - The Buck Stops Here;
Chapter - 48: Myth 48 - It's Tough at the Top;
Chapter - 49: Myth 49 - The Leader Makes a Difference;
Chapter - 50: Myth 50 - The Leader is In Control;
Chapter - 51: Myth 51 - Leaders are Role Models;
Chapter - 52: Myth 52 - Leaders are Popular;
Chapter - 53: Myth 53 - Leaders Deserve Exceptional Rewards;
Section - SEVEN: Conclusions;
Chapter - 54: Myths, Fads and Theories;
Chapter - 55: Leaders Take People Where They Would Not Have Got By Themselves;
Chapter - 56: I Have the Answer - Myth or Reality?
Section - ONE: We Know What Leadership Is;
Chapter - 01: Myth 1 - We Know What Leadership Is;
Chapter - 02: Myth 2 - The Perfect Leader;
Chapter - 03: Myth 3 - Leadership is About Your Rank, Title or Position;
Chapter - 04: Myth 4 - Managers are Leaders;
Chapter - 05: Myth 5 - Leaders Know What Leadership Is;
Chapter - 06: Myth 6 - The Founder is the Leader;
Chapter - 07: Myth 7 - Leadership is Universal;
Section - TWO: We Know What Leaders Do;
Chapter - 08: Myth 8 - We Know What Leaders Do - Top Level Leaders;
Chapter - 09: Myth 9 - We Know What Leaders Do - Your Leadership Journey;
Chapter - 10: Myth 10 - Leaders Motivate their Followers;
Chapter - 11: Myth 11 - Leaders Communicate Well;
Chapter - 12: Myth 12 - Leaders are Decisive;
Chapter - 13: Myth 13 - Leaders Set Goals and Give Directions;
Chapter - 14: Myth 14 - Great Leaders Build Great Teams;
Chapter - 15: Myth 15 - The Leader Knows What's Going On;
Section - THREE: We Know What Leaders are Like - Character and Traits;
Chapter - 16: Myth 16 - Leaders are Born, not Bred;
Chapter - 17: Myth 17 - Leaders are Visionary;
Chapter - 18: Myth 18 - Leaders are Charismatic and Inspirational;
Chapter - 19: Myth 19 - Leaders are Honest;
Chapter - 20: Myth 20 - Leaders are Brave;
Chapter - 21: Myth 21 - The Leader is the Smartest Person in the Room;
Chapter - 22: Myth 22 - The Best Leaders are Clever;
Chapter - 23: Myth 23 - Male and Female Leaders are Different;
Chapter - 24: Myth 24 - Psychopaths Succeed as Leaders;
Chapter - 25: Myth 25 - Leaders are Reasonable;
Chapter - 26: Myth 26 - An Effective Leader is a Skilled Leader;
Section - FOUR: We Know How Leaders Succeed;
Chapter - 27: Myth 27 - Leaders Succeed on Merit;
Chapter - 28: Myth 28 - Leadership is About Survival of the Fittest;
Chapter - 29: Myth 29 - It's Not What You Know But Who You Know;
Chapter - 30: Myth 30 - Power Comes from Your Position;
Chapter - 31: Myth 31 - Leaders Need Experience;
Chapter - 32: Myth 32 - The First 90 Days;
Chapter - 33: Myth 33 - You Have to Manage Before You Can Lead;
Chapter - 34: Myth 34 - Sporting Heroes Show Us How to Lead;
Chapter - 35: Myth 35 - You Can Teach Leadership;
Chapter - 36: Myth 36 - Leaders Know When to Move On;
Section - FIVE: We Have a Theory of Leadership;
Chapter - 37: Myth 37 - The Great Man Theory of Leadership;
Chapter - 38: Myth 38 - Servant Leadership;
Chapter - 39: Myth 39 - The Humble Leader;
Chapter - 40: Myth 40 - Distributed Leadership;
Chapter - 41: Myth 41 - Transactional and Transformational Leadership;
Chapter - 42: Myth 42 - Authentic Leadership;
Chapter - 43: Myth 43 - Leadership is a Team Sport;
Chapter - 44: Myth 44 - Leadership and Money - The Dog That Didn't Bark;
Chapter - 45: Myth 45 - Leaders are Like Tea Bags;
Section - SIX: We Have Beliefs About Leadership;
Chapter - 46: Myth 46 - It's Lonely at the Top;
Chapter - 47: Myth 47 - The Buck Stops Here;
Chapter - 48: Myth 48 - It's Tough at the Top;
Chapter - 49: Myth 49 - The Leader Makes a Difference;
Chapter - 50: Myth 50 - The Leader is In Control;
Chapter - 51: Myth 51 - Leaders are Role Models;
Chapter - 52: Myth 52 - Leaders are Popular;
Chapter - 53: Myth 53 - Leaders Deserve Exceptional Rewards;
Section - SEVEN: Conclusions;
Chapter - 54: Myths, Fads and Theories;
Chapter - 55: Leaders Take People Where They Would Not Have Got By Themselves;
Chapter - 56: I Have the Answer - Myth or Reality?