Leadership
Theory, Application, & Skill Development
Eighth Edition
Robert N. Lussier
- Springfield College, USA
Christopher F. Achua
- University of Virginia's College at Wise
If you’re in the Americas, please visit our Sage College Publishing website to purchase or sample this book:
Go to College Publishing WebsiteDescription
Leadership: Theory, Application, and Skill Development provides an engaging introduction to leadership theories and concepts. Bestselling authors Robert N. Lussier and Christopher F. Achua use examples and step-by-step behavioral models to help prepare students for a wide range of leadership situations and challenges. The updated Eighth Edition includes 6 new cases and updated cases throughout that profile a diverse group of business leaders, as well as new coverage of crisis leadership, servant leadership, social impact, and high-performing organizations.
Sage Vantage Learning Platform
Sage Vantage Learning Platform
This text is offered in Sage Vantage, an intuitive learning platform that integrates quality Sage textbook content with assignable multimedia activities and auto-graded assessments to drive student engagement and ensure accountability. Unparalleled in its ease of use and built for dynamic teaching and learning, Vantage offers customizable LMS integration and best-in-class support. Highlights include:
- Assignable multimedia activities with assessment—including video, data, reading, and self-assessment activities— tied to learning objectives and curated exclusively for this text bring concepts to life. Watch a sample video now.
- NEW! An AI Literacy module prepares students to engage confidently with today’s AI tools through an interactive, outcomes-focused experience—with minimal instructor lift and no course redesign required. Available exclusively in Sage Vantage and written by professors who teach and publish about AI, the AI Information Literacy, Academic Integrity, and Responsible AI Use integrates video, data-driven examples, applied activities, Knowledge Checks, and built-in assessments that help instructors track student understanding. Focused on strengthening critical thinking, the module teaches students how to evaluate AI outputs for accuracy and bias while developing responsible prompting strategies that support academic success without compromising students’ intellectual growth.
Instructors, see how Vantage works!
Contents
Preface
Preface
About the Authors
About the Authors
Part I: Individuals As Leaders
- Chapter 1: Who Is a Leader and What Skills Do Leaders Need?
- Introduction
- Leadership and Leadership Development
- Defining Leadership With Five Key Elements
- Leadership Skills
- Leadership Managerial Roles
- Levels of Analysis of Leadership
- Leadership Theory Paradigms
- Objectives and Organization of the Book
- Chapter 2: Leadership Traits and Ethics
- Introduction
- Personality and Traits
- The Big Five Including Traits of Effective Leaders
- The Personality Profile of Effective Leaders
- Leadership Attitudes
- Ethical Leadership
- Guides to Ethical Behavior
- Chapter 3: Leadership Behavior and Motivation
- Introduction
- Leadership Behavior and Styles
- University of Michigan and Ohio State University Leadership Models
- The Leadership Grid
- Leadership and Motivation
- Content Motivation Theories
- Process Motivation Theories
- Reinforcement Theory
- Schedules of Reinforcement
- Putting the Motivation Theories Together Within the Motivation Process
- Chapter 4: Contingency Leadership Theories
- Introduction
- Contributions to Contingency Leadership Theories and Models
- Contingency Leadership Theory and Model
- Leadership Continuum Theory and Model
- Path–Goal Leadership Theory and Model
- Normative Leadership Theory and Models
- Putting the Behavioral and Contingency Leadership Theories Together
- Leadership Substitutes Theory
Part II: Leadership Skills
- Chapter 5: Communication, Coaching, and Conflict Skills
- Introduction
- Communication and Leadership
- Sending Messages and Giving Instructions
- Receiving Messages
- Coaching
- The Coaching Model and Mentoring
- Managing Conflict
- Collaborating Conflict Management Style Models
- Chapter 6: Influencing: Power, Politics, Networking, and Negotiation
- Introduction
- Influencing and Power
- Types of Power and Influencing Tactics
- Organizational Politics
- Networking
- Negotiation
- Influencing Varies Globally
Part III: Team Leadership
- Chapter 7: Leader–Member Exchange and Followership
- Introduction
- From Vertical Dyadic Linkage Theory to Leader–Member Exchange Theory
- Leader–Member Exchange (LMX) Theory
- Factors That Influence the Quality of LMX Relationships
- LMX Contribution and Criticisms
- Followership
- A Follower’s Influencing Potential
- Delegation
- Chapter 8: Team Leadership and Self-Managed Teams
- Introduction
- The Shift From Functional Hierarchies to Team-Structure Models
- Types of Teams
- Decision Making in Teams
- Leadership Skills for Conducting Effective Team Meetings
- Self-Managed Teams
Part IV: Organizational Leadership
- Chapter 9: Managing Change and Crisis Leadership
- Introduction
- Leading Organizational Change
- Resistance to Change
- Crisis Leadership
- Crisis Planning and Implementation
- Crisis Communication
- Chapter 10: Charismatic, Transformational, and Servant Leadership
- Introduction
- Charismatic Leadership
- How Is Charisma a Double-Edged Sword?
- Transformational Leadership
- Charismatic and Transformational Leadership
- Servant Leadership
- Chapter 11: Leadership of Culture, Diversity, and Inclusion
- Introduction
- Leadership and Organizational Culture
- Culture Creation
- Managing and Sustaining a Strong Culture
- Strong High-Performance and Weak Low-Performance Cultures
- Types of Organizational Culture
- Ethical Organizational Culture and Authentic Leadership
- Global Leadership
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I)
- The Case for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Factors That Contribute to a Strong DE&I Culture
- Chapter 12: Strategic Leadership and High-Performing Organizations
- Introduction
- The Impact of Globalization and Environmental Sustainability
- Strategic Leadership
- The Strategy-Making, Strategy-Execution Process
- High-Performing Organizations (HPOS)
- Key Success Factors of High-Performing Organizations
- The Learning Organization and Knowledge Management
Glossary
Glossary
Notes
Notes
Name Index
Name Index
Company Index
Company Index
Subject Index
Subject Index
Additional materials
Description
Leadership: Theory, Application, and Skill Development provides an engaging introduction to leadership theories and concepts. Bestselling authors Robert N. Lussier and Christopher F. Achua use examples and step-by-step behavioral models to help prepare students for a wide range of leadership situations and challenges. The updated Eighth Edition includes 6 new cases and updated cases throughout that profile a diverse group of business leaders, as well as new coverage of crisis leadership, servant leadership, social impact, and high-performing organizations.
Sage Vantage Learning Platform
Sage Vantage Learning Platform
This text is offered in Sage Vantage, an intuitive learning platform that integrates quality Sage textbook content with assignable multimedia activities and auto-graded assessments to drive student engagement and ensure accountability. Unparalleled in its ease of use and built for dynamic teaching and learning, Vantage offers customizable LMS integration and best-in-class support. Highlights include:
- Assignable multimedia activities with assessment—including video, data, reading, and self-assessment activities— tied to learning objectives and curated exclusively for this text bring concepts to life. Watch a sample video now.
- NEW! An AI Literacy module prepares students to engage confidently with today’s AI tools through an interactive, outcomes-focused experience—with minimal instructor lift and no course redesign required. Available exclusively in Sage Vantage and written by professors who teach and publish about AI, the AI Information Literacy, Academic Integrity, and Responsible AI Use integrates video, data-driven examples, applied activities, Knowledge Checks, and built-in assessments that help instructors track student understanding. Focused on strengthening critical thinking, the module teaches students how to evaluate AI outputs for accuracy and bias while developing responsible prompting strategies that support academic success without compromising students’ intellectual growth.
Instructors, see how Vantage works!
Contents
Preface
Preface
About the Authors
About the Authors
Part I: Individuals As Leaders
- Chapter 1: Who Is a Leader and What Skills Do Leaders Need?
- Introduction
- Leadership and Leadership Development
- Defining Leadership With Five Key Elements
- Leadership Skills
- Leadership Managerial Roles
- Levels of Analysis of Leadership
- Leadership Theory Paradigms
- Objectives and Organization of the Book
- Chapter 2: Leadership Traits and Ethics
- Introduction
- Personality and Traits
- The Big Five Including Traits of Effective Leaders
- The Personality Profile of Effective Leaders
- Leadership Attitudes
- Ethical Leadership
- Guides to Ethical Behavior
- Chapter 3: Leadership Behavior and Motivation
- Introduction
- Leadership Behavior and Styles
- University of Michigan and Ohio State University Leadership Models
- The Leadership Grid
- Leadership and Motivation
- Content Motivation Theories
- Process Motivation Theories
- Reinforcement Theory
- Schedules of Reinforcement
- Putting the Motivation Theories Together Within the Motivation Process
- Chapter 4: Contingency Leadership Theories
- Introduction
- Contributions to Contingency Leadership Theories and Models
- Contingency Leadership Theory and Model
- Leadership Continuum Theory and Model
- Path–Goal Leadership Theory and Model
- Normative Leadership Theory and Models
- Putting the Behavioral and Contingency Leadership Theories Together
- Leadership Substitutes Theory
Part II: Leadership Skills
- Chapter 5: Communication, Coaching, and Conflict Skills
- Introduction
- Communication and Leadership
- Sending Messages and Giving Instructions
- Receiving Messages
- Coaching
- The Coaching Model and Mentoring
- Managing Conflict
- Collaborating Conflict Management Style Models
- Chapter 6: Influencing: Power, Politics, Networking, and Negotiation
- Introduction
- Influencing and Power
- Types of Power and Influencing Tactics
- Organizational Politics
- Networking
- Negotiation
- Influencing Varies Globally
Part III: Team Leadership
- Chapter 7: Leader–Member Exchange and Followership
- Introduction
- From Vertical Dyadic Linkage Theory to Leader–Member Exchange Theory
- Leader–Member Exchange (LMX) Theory
- Factors That Influence the Quality of LMX Relationships
- LMX Contribution and Criticisms
- Followership
- A Follower’s Influencing Potential
- Delegation
- Chapter 8: Team Leadership and Self-Managed Teams
- Introduction
- The Shift From Functional Hierarchies to Team-Structure Models
- Types of Teams
- Decision Making in Teams
- Leadership Skills for Conducting Effective Team Meetings
- Self-Managed Teams
Part IV: Organizational Leadership
- Chapter 9: Managing Change and Crisis Leadership
- Introduction
- Leading Organizational Change
- Resistance to Change
- Crisis Leadership
- Crisis Planning and Implementation
- Crisis Communication
- Chapter 10: Charismatic, Transformational, and Servant Leadership
- Introduction
- Charismatic Leadership
- How Is Charisma a Double-Edged Sword?
- Transformational Leadership
- Charismatic and Transformational Leadership
- Servant Leadership
- Chapter 11: Leadership of Culture, Diversity, and Inclusion
- Introduction
- Leadership and Organizational Culture
- Culture Creation
- Managing and Sustaining a Strong Culture
- Strong High-Performance and Weak Low-Performance Cultures
- Types of Organizational Culture
- Ethical Organizational Culture and Authentic Leadership
- Global Leadership
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I)
- The Case for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Factors That Contribute to a Strong DE&I Culture
- Chapter 12: Strategic Leadership and High-Performing Organizations
- Introduction
- The Impact of Globalization and Environmental Sustainability
- Strategic Leadership
- The Strategy-Making, Strategy-Execution Process
- High-Performing Organizations (HPOS)
- Key Success Factors of High-Performing Organizations
- The Learning Organization and Knowledge Management
Glossary
Glossary
Notes
Notes
Name Index
Name Index
Company Index
Company Index
Subject Index
Subject Index
Additional materials
Reviews
Leadership
Theory, Application, & Skill Development
January 2026 | 632 pages | Sage US
| Format | Published Date | ISBN | Price |
|---|
Leadership: Theory, Application, and Skill Development provides an engaging introduction to leadership theories and concepts. Bestselling authors Robert N. Lussier and Christopher F. Achua use examples and step-by-step behavioral models to help prepare students for a wide range of leadership situations and challenges. The updated Eighth Edition includes 6 new cases and updated cases throughout that profile a diverse group of business leaders, as well as new coverage of crisis leadership, servant leadership, social impact, and high-performing organizations.
Sage Vantage Learning Platform
Sage Vantage Learning Platform
This text is offered in Sage Vantage, an intuitive learning platform that integrates quality Sage textbook content with assignable multimedia activities and auto-graded assessments to drive student engagement and ensure accountability. Unparalleled in its ease of use and built for dynamic teaching and learning, Vantage offers customizable LMS integration and best-in-class support. Highlights include:
- Assignable multimedia activities with assessment—including video, data, reading, and self-assessment activities— tied to learning objectives and curated exclusively for this text bring concepts to life. Watch a sample video now.
- NEW! An AI Literacy module prepares students to engage confidently with today’s AI tools through an interactive, outcomes-focused experience—with minimal instructor lift and no course redesign required. Available exclusively in Sage Vantage and written by professors who teach and publish about AI, the AI Information Literacy, Academic Integrity, and Responsible AI Use integrates video, data-driven examples, applied activities, Knowledge Checks, and built-in assessments that help instructors track student understanding. Focused on strengthening critical thinking, the module teaches students how to evaluate AI outputs for accuracy and bias while developing responsible prompting strategies that support academic success without compromising students’ intellectual growth.
Instructors, see how Vantage works!
Table Of Contents:
- Preface
- About the Authors
- Part I: Individuals As Leaders
- Chapter 1: Who Is a Leader and What Skills Do Leaders Need?
- Introduction
- Leadership and Leadership Development
- Defining Leadership With Five Key Elements
- Leadership Skills
- Leadership Managerial Roles
- Levels of Analysis of Leadership
- Leadership Theory Paradigms
- Objectives and Organization of the Book
- Chapter 2: Leadership Traits and Ethics
- Introduction
- Personality and Traits
- The Big Five Including Traits of Effective Leaders
- The Personality Profile of Effective Leaders
- Leadership Attitudes
- Ethical Leadership
- Guides to Ethical Behavior
- Chapter 3: Leadership Behavior and Motivation
- Introduction
- Leadership Behavior and Styles
- University of Michigan and Ohio State University Leadership Models
- The Leadership Grid
- Leadership and Motivation
- Content Motivation Theories
- Process Motivation Theories
- Reinforcement Theory
- Schedules of Reinforcement
- Putting the Motivation Theories Together Within the Motivation Process
- Chapter 4: Contingency Leadership Theories
- Introduction
- Contributions to Contingency Leadership Theories and Models
- Contingency Leadership Theory and Model
- Leadership Continuum Theory and Model
- Path–Goal Leadership Theory and Model
- Normative Leadership Theory and Models
- Putting the Behavioral and Contingency Leadership Theories Together
- Leadership Substitutes Theory
- Part II: Leadership Skills
- Chapter 5: Communication, Coaching, and Conflict Skills
- Introduction
- Communication and Leadership
- Sending Messages and Giving Instructions
- Receiving Messages
- Coaching
- The Coaching Model and Mentoring
- Managing Conflict
- Collaborating Conflict Management Style Models
- Chapter 6: Influencing: Power, Politics, Networking, and Negotiation
- Introduction
- Influencing and Power
- Types of Power and Influencing Tactics
- Organizational Politics
- Networking
- Negotiation
- Influencing Varies Globally
- Part III: Team Leadership
- Chapter 7: Leader–Member Exchange and Followership
- Introduction
- From Vertical Dyadic Linkage Theory to Leader–Member Exchange Theory
- Leader–Member Exchange (LMX) Theory
- Factors That Influence the Quality of LMX Relationships
- LMX Contribution and Criticisms
- Followership
- A Follower’s Influencing Potential
- Delegation
- Chapter 8: Team Leadership and Self-Managed Teams
- Introduction
- The Shift From Functional Hierarchies to Team-Structure Models
- Types of Teams
- Decision Making in Teams
- Leadership Skills for Conducting Effective Team Meetings
- Self-Managed Teams
- Part IV: Organizational Leadership
- Chapter 9: Managing Change and Crisis Leadership
- Introduction
- Leading Organizational Change
- Resistance to Change
- Crisis Leadership
- Crisis Planning and Implementation
- Crisis Communication
- Chapter 10: Charismatic, Transformational, and Servant Leadership
- Introduction
- Charismatic Leadership
- How Is Charisma a Double-Edged Sword?
- Transformational Leadership
- Charismatic and Transformational Leadership
- Servant Leadership
- Chapter 11: Leadership of Culture, Diversity, and Inclusion
- Introduction
- Leadership and Organizational Culture
- Culture Creation
- Managing and Sustaining a Strong Culture
- Strong High-Performance and Weak Low-Performance Cultures
- Types of Organizational Culture
- Ethical Organizational Culture and Authentic Leadership
- Global Leadership
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I)
- The Case for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Factors That Contribute to a Strong DE&I Culture
- Chapter 12: Strategic Leadership and High-Performing Organizations
- Introduction
- The Impact of Globalization and Environmental Sustainability
- Strategic Leadership
- The Strategy-Making, Strategy-Execution Process
- High-Performing Organizations (HPOS)
- Key Success Factors of High-Performing Organizations
- The Learning Organization and Knowledge Management
- Glossary
- Notes
- Name Index
- Company Index
- Subject Index
Recent Product Reviews:
"Student performance after implementing Vantage is incredible...this is a really tangible way to see that."
Karen Deeming, Instructor, Merced College
It is a very well-organized textbook. Each chapter contains a practical case at the beginning, which helps promote student learning.
Shih Yung Chou, Winston-Salem State University
"This is the smoothest student onboarding process I have ever experienced. Everything is syncing and the students were able to figure things out with almost no help from me."
Echo Leaver, Instructor, Salisbury University
This book will have a big impact on students looking to learn about leadership or moving into a leadership role. It gives great insight from current and past leaders.
Dr. Ericka Williams, Chicago State University
"I am really excited to have tools that help motivate students to actually do the reading..."
Emily Hopkins, Instructor, University of Scranton