Leadership at the Crossroads

What is leadership? Not only has that question been debated since the beginning of human culture and society, but it's a moving target based on the definer, and the epoch. The definition can be thought-provoking and profound: "A leader is best when people barely know he exists, not so good when people obey and acclaim him, worse when they despise him," (Lao Tzu, 6th century BC ). Or the profundity may lie shrouded in the prosaic: "A leader is one who has followers," (Peter Drucker, 20th century). However you define the concept, today's challenges for leaders of all stripes are monumental, and the need for effective leadership is huge. More than anything, this set travels farther and digs deeper than most leadership books. It takes us from mere explanations of leadership to an understanding of it as part of the human condition. Reading it should be at the top of the to-do list for any leader in any era.

Joanne B. Ciulla is Professor and Coston Family Chair in Leadership and Ethics at the Jepson School of Leadership Studies at the University of Richmond. She is one of the founding faculty members of the school. Ciulla also held the first UNESCO Chair in Leadership Studies at the United Nations University International Leadership Academy. She is an author or coauthor of five books, includingEthics, the Heart of Leadership (Praeger 2004), and numerous other publications on ethics and leadership. Ciulla is an Associate Editor of theLeadership Quarterly and sits on the editorial board of Business Ethics Quarterly.

Donelson R. Forsyth is the Colonel Leo K. and Gaylee Thorsness Chair in Ethical Leadership at the Jepson School of Leadership Studies at the University of Richmond. An authority on group dynamics, Forsyth is the author of many articles and the textbookGroup Dynamics.

Michael A. Genovese is Professor of Political Science at Loyola Marymount University, where he holds the Loyola Chair of Leadership. He has written seventeen books, includingThe Paradoxes of the American Presidency, and The Presidency and Challenges of Democracy. He appears frequently as a commentator in the media.

George R. Goethals holds the E. Claiborne Robins Distinguished Professorship in Leadership Studies at the Jepson School of Leadership Studies, University of Richmond. A Fellow of the American Psychological Society and other professional groups, Goethals is the coauthor of numerous journal articles.

Lori Cox Han is Professor of Political Science at Chapman University. The author of many publications, she is the coeditor ofRethinking Madam President: Are We Ready for a Woman in the White House and the author ofWomen and American Politics: The Challenges of Political Leadership.

Crystal L. Hoyt is Assistant Professor at the Jepson School of Leadership Studies, University of Richmond. A social psychologist, Hoyt brings a psychological perspective to the study and teaching of leadership. She is author or co-author of many journal articles or book chapters.