Leadership Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
Early Days of Leadership Study
In 2008, I began my academic journey in administrative leadership at the University of Oklahoma (OU), ultimately earning a master’s degree in 2010. At that time, leadership had emerged as a prominent field of study within academia. The program at OU was among the first to be offered online, designed to accommodate non-traditional working adults. The interdisciplinary style of the program was particularly appealing because it provided a comprehensive framework for understanding leadership from various perspectives. During this period, economists were increasingly warning about the impending workforce gap as Baby Boomers approached retirement, a concern that resonated with me. I also recognized that my generation’s career patterns would likely differ from those of my parents and grandparents, who had followed more linear career paths, often with the same employer throughout their entire workforce life.
Although I was employed in public health at the time, I knew that field was not the sector I wanted to invest in for my long-term career. However, the decision to pursue leadership studies made sense because the skills gained would be transferable across industries and would equip me with a versatile foundation for future career opportunities.
The coursework introduced me to the works of influential scholars such as Max Weber, whose concept of charismatic leadership resonated with pop cultural dynamics;[1] John Kotter, whose writings on change management became integral to my understanding of the need to strategically manage it;[2] Gary Yukl, who contributed significant research on organizational leadership;[3] Daniel Goleman, whose work on emotional intelligence has become a cornerstone of modern leadership theory;[4] and Robert Greenleaf, whose servant leadership model emphasizes the importance of focusing on the growth and well-being of followers.[5] These scholars shaped my approach to leadership, and I have continued learning, applying, and teaching their concepts to others along the way.
The Latest in Leadership Studies
Peter Northouse’s Leadership: Theory and Practice[6] remains an essential text in my library. This book offers a broad yet comprehensive overview of leadership, covering foundational topics such as leadership theories, ethics, gender, and followership. While Northouse’s work provides a solid introduction to these concepts, it does not delve deeply into certain emerging areas of leadership, such as global leadership in an increasingly interconnected world. The rise of cross-cultural teams necessitates a deeper understanding of leadership within global contexts, and this is an area where Northouse could have expanded further. Additionally, while he touches on change management, the book does not fully explore crisis leadership, a critical area in today’s volatile business environment. The example of Enron’s resurgence following its infamous 2001 scandal underscores the need to better understand the nuances of crisis management and how to salvage the organizational reputation. Yes, Enron is really back! Another emerging field is digital leadership, particularly the skills needed to manage remote teams, virtual collaboration, and address technology gaps in the workforce.
To build upon Northouse’s Leadership: Theory and Practice, I plan to revisit Gary Yukl’s Leadership in Organizations from my master’s studies. While some of its research may be dated, the book offers an in-depth exploration of power dynamics within organizational hierarchies, as well as the ethical considerations and measures of leadership effectiveness. I also intend to revisit Robert Greenleaf’s Servant Leadership, which continues to hold particular relevance for those working in ministry or service-oriented roles. Greenleaf’s focus on empowering followers and fostering community-driven leadership based on shared values is a powerful model for sustainable leadership.
While Northouse’s text serves as a valuable foundation for those new to leadership studies, I would encourage anyone seeking to deepen their understanding to explore specialized topics that resonate with their particular interests. Leadership is dynamic and evolving, and a comprehensive understanding requires ongoing engagement with both foundational theories and emerging practices.
[1] Weber, Max, et al. The Protestant Ethic and the “Spirit” of Capitalism and Other Writings. 23. print, Penguin Books, 2012.
[2] Kotter, John P. Leading Change. Nachdr., Harvard Business School Press.
[3] Yukl, Gary A., and William L. Gardner. Leadership in Organizations. Ninth edition, Pearson Education, Inc, 2020.
[4] Goleman, Daniel. Emotional Intelligence: The Groundbreaking Book That Redefines What It Means to Be Smart; Why It Can Matter More than IQ. 10. anniversary reissue ed, Bantam Books, 2006.
[5] Greenleaf, Robert K. The Power of Servant-Leadership: Essays. 1st ed, Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 1998.
[6] Northouse, Peter Guy. Leadership: Theory and Practice. Ninth Edition, SAGE, 2022.
About the Author
Jennifer Eckert
Fundraising director, people connector, believer in second chances, fights poverty, supports justice reform, lives a life integrated with Matthew 25.12 responses to “Leadership Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow”
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Hi Jennifer, I appreciate you bringing other forms of leadership that are necessary in today’s world. I learned first hand that crisis leadership is very different than when an organization is not in crisis in 2017 when 5 people passed away within 15 months of each other. It left many people realing and impacted the organization in a number of ways. We work with a fragile population whose life span if sometimes cut short by disease progression associated with a disability. While I navigated it, I hadn’t thought about it until reading your post. In your master studies, was crisis leadership considered? If so I would love to know if there was an author that was particularly salient.
Wow, you all went through a lot of struggle in a short time. I’m sure you could teach me (all of us) a thing or two about crisis management. There is a book called Managing Crises Before They Happen by Ian Mitroff. Essentially, he teaches crisis preparation and management, much like I learned firsthand in public health (we had to do bioterrorism exercises, etc.). He offers a lot of safety planning and other tips. We know crises WILL happen. The question is, how prepared will we be when they do?
One thing I believe is different now is the constant crisis the world seems to be in. Humans are living with high doses of cortesol on a near daily basis. That isn’t healthy, yet it is the case more and more. I think leaders need to study more about self-care to avoid burnout because the disruptions will only continue to grow in our lifetime. History may name this generation as something unique givin the amount of gun tragedies, global political tensions, natural disasters, and more. How do we plan for crisis that happens every day? That is something different. God give us all strength.
Jennifer, great critique of Northouse, thank you!
I’m curious to know a bit more about your experience with “followership” and why that resonates with you?
Followership is one of my favorite aspects of leadership because, at the core, it’s really about:
1) being a servant leader so people WANT to follow you (if you have no followers, you’re not a leader);
2) It puts the focus on the needs and development of the followers (i.e. mentorship, empowerment of others); and
3) Jesus modeled this often. Sometimes, we are the leaders, and sometimes, the followers. A successful person will humbly recognize that both roles are fluid and you will ebb and flow between them, depending on the project.
It is also an under-represented topic. Thanks for asking!
Hi Jennifer, I agree that Northouse does not provide a deep dive into the different types of leadership, but I enjoyed the overview of the models. While you were reading Northouse, was there a leadership model you were unfamiliar with or one you hope to explore further?
I appreciated his mention of the current gap in leadership in the digital age. For example, how do we lead in a remote work environment when so much of our communication is done through body language? What steps can we take to identify unique elements of the global/cultural context so our efforts (over Zoom or email) are personalized rather than generalized?
I think this is a huge area for us to develop as leaders.
Jennifer,
I appreciate your review of Northouse’s book. While I see the need for going deeper into the topics you mentioned, I do feel that this is a great book for an introduction into leadership. It is very readable and written at a level that most bachelor’s level students can understand. It is amazing to me the deer in the headlights looks I get when trying to discuss some basic foundational topics with first year students. I am wondering with your work with prison ministry, is there a particular leadership style that you feel suites your needs best or is it situational? Please feel free to go beyond the topics Northouse discussed in your answer.
Great question, Jeff. A couple of thoughts come to mind.
1) Leadership and followership are equally important. To be a good leader, you really need to be a good follower. Eventually, you will ebb and flow between the two when working with a team on a project. I rarely hear followership elevated to a high level, but it should be. It’s about empowering others to lead when you follow THEM…
2) The other style is collaborative leadership. That is a fundamental way I operate, which comes naturally to me. But that is not natural for many people in prison. The criminogenic thinking has resulted in a focus on the self – almost narcissistic, but they are having to learn a way of thinking beyond survival/crisis mode.
3) Crisis leadership might be needed in certain situations for short-term solutions (again, the focus is placed on the follower, not the leader)
4) Adaptability leadership is useful for longer-term strategy planning. In fact, just today I was in a prison in TX where we taught the class about SMART goals. We had a lively discussion, but they are starting to learn adaptability leadership without even knowing the term or what it means.
Jennifer,
Godo job recalling all the leadership books from years ago! Honestly, I had no idea there were so many different styles of leadership as presented by Northouse. I don’t think I ever thought about it. As you look into the future, as Dr. Eckert, which leadership style will be the most needed for you?
Haha! All of them. A good leader will have a cadre of leadership styles and tools in the toolbox. It all depends on the situation, context, culture, and the outcome needed.
I have mentioned earlier that I rank followership equal to leadership. We should welcome both and naturally ebb and flow between them. I believe to be a good leader (and a good listener) you first have to be a good follower.
Thanks for building a great bibliography of leadership resources for us in your post. Is the field you’re in now something you feel called to for the long run? How does that change how you lead in the present?
I love prison ministry work. It is incredibly fulfilling yet very taxing. I am called now – and have been for nearly eight years (mostly as a volunteer), but I remain open and willing to do what the Lord needs me to do. I never planned my current ministry or career path. In fact, I was going to be a university art professor. God had different plans that weren’t anywhere on my radar. Not even close. But his path is much more gratifying, so I’ll stay open to His calling.
However, collaborative leadership has become a core value I operate in naturally without thinking about. Sometimes, it catches people off guard, especially in prison (what, you want my opinion and help?) Collaborative leadership allows people to deploy their gifts in ways they may not have ever done before.