Gary Yukl's Leadership in Organizations

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Gary Yukl's Leadership in Organizations

Gary Yukl is Professor of Management and Leadership at the State University of New York in

Albany, and a board member of the Leadership Quarterly journal. He is a well-known scholar

and author on leadership. Leadership in Organizations was first published in 1981. This fifth

edition was published in 2002, and the formerly 19 chapters have been consolidated into 15

(which includes a new chapter on ethical leadership and diversity). This has been done in order

to accommodate a 15-week course.

Each chapter covers a particular aspect of leadership research study, with a concluding

summary and questions for further discussion. Key terms are highlighted, and there is at least

one case study at the end of each chapter. The book is accompanied by an instructor’s manual

which is used in conjunction with the case studies and also contains exercises and role-playing

activities. The 508 pages of Leadership in Organizations include an extensive references

section.

Leadership in Organizations has a specific focus on managerial leadership in large

organisations and is an attempt at bridging the gulf between academics and management

practitioners. However, as each chapter begins with a list of learning objectives, the bias

appears to tend towards a more academic audience (particularly students of the subject), rather

than towards practising managers.

The author covers a broad survey of theory and research of leadership in formal organisations of

the last 50 years, and though Yukl states that the book “focuses on the 20 per cent of literature

that appeared to be the most relevant and informative”, he has provided an in-depth and

comprehensive analysis and apprais...

... middle of paper ...

...important leadership functions for enhancing collective

work in teams and organisations.

Discussion

Leadership in Organizations concerns itself with looking at the complex field of research in the

field of leadership in large organisations. This is a well researched and well thought-out text, and

anyone with a serious interest in the subject would benefit from having read the book. The

format provides a clear understanding of the learning requirements, with the case studies and

questions at the end of every chapter stimulating the reader into asking yet more questions, thus

creating a greater awareness of leadership in a management context.

Gary Yukl provides a comprehensive review of techniques, citing examples and guidelines

throughout. Though some might find the style over-directive, others will benefit from the clear

path that Yukl points up.

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