Hardcover & digital available

The Science of Leadership

Lessons from Research for Organizational Leaders

In The Science of Leadership, Julian Barling synthesizes current research on the nature of organizational leadership, engaging in data- rather than dogma-driven discussion on controversial topics such as gender and leadership, destructive leadership and followership.

What You'll Learn

What is leadership, really? Too often, leadership is described as an elusive quality possessed by a lucky few. The Science of Leadership reveals that leadership is something you can understand, cultivate, and practice.
Do leaders actually matter? Some leaders overestimate their influence; some employees doubt it matters. Yet the evidence—including on happens when a CEO dies suddenly—tell a nuanced story about how, when and why leaders shape morale, well-being, performance, and when they don’t.
Are leaders born or made? Everyone has an opinion, but few have the evidence. Drawing on decades of research, The Science of Leadership challenges long-held beliefs about genetics, personality, development and leadership.
Can we really teach leadership? You will probably be surprised at just how much evidence exists, and just how much of it says yes.
Gender and leadership. Even as the number of women leading Fortune 500 companies has doubled in a decade, the imbalance remains stark. Learn why this gap persists—and how closing it could transform organizations and society alike.
"Enough about leadership—let’s talk about followership." The Science of Leadership devotes an entire chapter to followership, exploring how followers shape, enable, and sometimes constrain those who lead.

Publication date

February 13, 2014

Format

Hardcover and Digital

Publisher

Oxford University Press

Print Length

328 pages

Praise

"Written by an expert in leadership research known the world over, The Science of Leadership is filled with engaging and enlightening material. This exemplifies Dr. Barling's skills as both a writer and an educator through the presentation of up-to-date real-world examples that are couched in both traditional and modern research. This is a superb introductory text for those new to the field, as well as a comprehensive synopsis for the more experienced researcher or practitioner.”

Timothy A. Judge Mendoza College of Business Franklin D. Schurz Chair University of Notre Dame

"Julian Barling has achieved the rarest of feats...he has done the equivalent of a massive review of leadership-related research, made it infinitely understandable and useable... and perhaps most shocking, interesting! For leaders who value fact over fashion and substance over hype this is a welcomed addition to the very crowded area of leadership literature."

Peter Jensen
CEO, Performance Coaching Inc.

"Leadership has become a kind of buzzword with a plethora of meanings. What is myth and what is known? This book sorts through the baggage to provide an evidence-based approach to understanding the science of organizational leadership. It's the 'go to' source for wisdom on leadership."

Gretchen Spreitzer Professor of Business Administration Keith E. Professor of Business Administration Valerie J. Alessi Professor of Management and Organizations, Ross School of Business

"The Science of Leadership couldn't have come a better time, when the field of leadership is in the ascendancy. This book is the 'best in class,' covering all the main issues in the field and written by North America's leading organizational behavior scholar. Every leader in the private and public sector, and all management students, should possess this gem. This is a 'must' read!”

Professor Cary L. Cooper
CBE Distinguished Professor of Organizational Psychology and Health, Lancaster University Management School

"The Science of Leadership is a compelling read for practicing and aspiring leaders as well as for researchers who want a thorough and illuminating account of current scientific understanding of the core topic of leadership.”

Jane E. Dutton Robert L. Kahn
Distinguished University Professor of Business Administration and Psychology, University of Michigan

"Julian Barling has done practitioners and academics a huge service – in a compelling and reader-friendly way, he distills what is truly known about leadership through scientifically driven research. He synthesizes countless studies; offers nuanced views; provides hard-hitting conclusions; and provides evidence-based directions to practitioners. I loved the content of the book and will highly recommend the book to both my students and executive clients.”

Gerard Seijts Professor of Organizational Behaviour Ian O. Ihnatowycz Chair in Leadership Ivey Business School, Western University

"A must read for any leader. Dr. Barling provides concrete, well-targeted, insightful, and well-researched advice for anyone who aspires to truly lead.”

Catherine R. Bell CEO, Blu Era