Marion & Gonzales offer well-balanced, well-researched, and lively discussions of classic and contemporary leadership theories and their applications. They lay out the organizational theory, provide an application, and then address leadership issues.

The authors begin with a brief look at the pros and cons of general entity-based approaches to leadership, reflecting key debates in the leadership literature. Next, readers encounter the history and applications of relational notions of leadership that suggest being a leader is more about process and practice than a singular person. The book finishes with coverage of more emergent and critical takes on leadership. As in previous editions (published as Leadership in Education), real-world examples from inside and outside educational contexts; case studies, roundtable discussions, group activities; and reflective exercises engage readers and accelerate learning.