Overview

Marion & Gonzales offer well-balanced, well-researched, and lively discussions of classic and contemporary leadership theories and their applications. They lay out the theory, provide an application, and then address leadership issues relevant to school administrators. The authors begin with a brief look at the pros and cons of general entity- and collectivist-based approaches to leadership, reflecting key debates in the leadership literature. Next, readers encounter the history and applications of specific entity-based theories, followed by a discussion of conflict theory, which provides an apt transition to the exploration of collectivist ideas. The book finishes with coverage of critical theory, institutionalism, and population ecology theories that focus more on the organizational context for leadership than on leadership styles. Real-world examples from inside and outside educational contexts; case studies, roundtable discussions, group activities; and reflective exercises engage readers and accelerate learning.