The Art of Leadership [Paperback]

George Manning (Author), Kent Curtis (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0072527897 | ISBN-13: 978-0072527896 | Publication Date: October 9, 2002 | Edition: 1

The Art of Leadership combines up-to-date behavior theory with business practice to put leadership into a larger context of personal and organizational success.

Each chapter teaches central concepts and skills in one important area of leadership while its interactive, seminar approach encourages development of nine key leadership skills.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

George Manning is professor of psychology and Kent Curtis is professor of leadership development at Northern Kentucky University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill/Irwin; 1 edition (October 9, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0072527897
• ISBN-13: 978-0072527896
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,261,616 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great classroom asset, November 2, 2002

By 

Peter Lorenzi (Maryland, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Art of Leadership (Paperback)

Leadership is a tough subject to teach. There are plenty of books with 'leadership' in the title and as many definitions of leadership as there are authors writing about leadership. This book will be a big help to the professor looking for an integrative solution for the classroom.

Manning and Curtis do a wonderful job for the teacher looking for a comprehensive, engaging tool for teaching students about the 'art' of leadership. In the process, Manning and Curtis offer a variety of interesting and involving exercises, essays, examples, and ideas about the practice and profession of leadership. Over sixty people assisted in the review process to develop the book.

Manning is a psychology professor and Curtis is a professor and coordinator of leadership and organizational studies, both at Northern Kentucky University.

This is a 368-page workbook, with more than thirty exercises designed to illustrate various aspects of leadership. The book is divided into nine parts and 28 chapters, including parts on vision, ethics, empowerment and performance management, among others. Leaders are portrayed as teachers, heroes and rulers. Chapters include self-assessment and end-of-the-chapter summaries with answer keys. There are sixteen pages of current endnotes and a lengthy glossary.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Art of Leadership, July 15, 2008

By 

Claudia Smith - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Art of Leadership (Paperback)

This was the most useful book I've ever read. I learned more about myself and ways to make myself a better leader from this book than from any other. Many helpful and enlightening excercises to complete and reflect over. I'd recommend it highly.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Art of Leadership, March 9, 2007

By 

R. O. Mayer (Palm Harbor FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Art of Leadership (Paperback)

An excellent book that should be on every leaders/managers/supervisors desk. It provides great basic material that should be learned in college leadership/management courses. The concepts and practices are covered at an appropriate depth.

It would be best used in the classroom or with a small group of current or prospective leaders, but is a little difficult for the person who is used to reading and learning because of numerous learning exercises.

Again, the basic leadership concepts are there, better than most publications. On the other hand it is difficult to use as a reference source because the index is overly populated with names of authors and not to content material.

Book is very expensive!

My two suggestions for improving the book would be to help new and existing leaders assess their competencies so they understand where they should focus their learning. The book is probably overwhelming to most readers when observed in total without understanding I am strong in this area and need to learn more in this area. Secondly, leaders/managers/supervisors must understand that leadership/management is a process that draws on this learning at different times as needed. Until they understand this they cannot apply this material or any of the broad array of books, concepts or strategies for managing on the market. I feel we confuse leaders/managers as much as we help them without helping them understand how and when to apply the vast array of leadership/management learning and concepts. When one understands the process of management and the need for various competencies and skills to address particular situational issues, the the material becomes invaluable.

You may think from the critique above I would not recommend the book, but I do recommend it. Again, it is a great book and worth the money if studied and the concepts applied to the process of leadership and management. A great book for classroom or group learning!