1st Edition

An Integrative Theory of Leadership

By Martin Chemers Copyright 1997
    216 Pages
    by Psychology Press

    210 Pages
    by Psychology Press

    A definition of leadership that would be widely accepted by the majority of theorists and researchers might say that "leadership is a process of social influence in which one person is able to enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task."

    The major points of this definition are that leadership is a group activity, is based on social influence, and revolves around a common task. While this specification seems relatively simple, the reality of leadership is very complex. Intrapersonal factors (thoughts and emotions) interact with interpersonal processes (attraction, communication, and influence) to have effects on a dynamic external environment. Each of these aspects brings complexity to the leadership process. It is the purpose of this book to make that complexity a bit more manageable, increasing the ability to understand what effective leadership is.

    This volume offers a comprehensive analysis and integration of the empirical research literature and major theories of leadership. It employs a functional analysis stressing what leaders must do to be effective and specifies the processes related to each function. The chapters provide an extensive review of the major approaches to leadership. Each chapter is discussed with an eye to explaining the basic principles, the research evidence, and where appropriate, the relationship of the theory or research program to other theories. In addition, this volume offers the most comprehensive treatment of cultural and gender factors in leadership of any recent book. The question of male-female differences in leadership style and performance is carefully analyzed against the empirical findings. The ultimate goal of this review of the literature is to provide a basis for the presentation of an integrative model of leadership that brings together function and process and provides an armature for integrating what is known.

    Preface. The Functions of Leadership in Organizations. Early Research on Leadership. The Contingency Model and Its Sequelae. More Contingency Theories. Transactional and Exchange Theories. Transformational Leadership. Cognitive Approaches. Influences of Culture on Leadership Processes. Women in Leadership. A Function and Process Integration.

    Biography

    Chemers, Martin

    "...if I were teaching a graduate or advanced undergraduate course on leadership I would certainly use this as core reading. And if I were a graduate student preparing for prelims, I would use this book as my main coverage of the leadership area. Whether or not one buys into Chemers's particular leadership theory, this book covers so much ground and covers it so well that it should become a benchmark work for future leadership studies."
    Contemporary Psychology