Applied Leadership Development
Nine Elements of Leadership Mastery
Leadership: Research and Practice Series

Intended for courses on leadership, practicing managers, consultants, and practitioners, this approachable guide teaches readers about how to become a leader. By blending the real-world insights of business executive Al Bolea with tested research findings provided by leadership scholar Leanne Atwater, it effectively bridges theory and practice to outline powerful leadership behaviors. Based on Bolea?s original "J-Curve" model of leadership, the authors identify and describe nine essential elements for leadership mastery, including skills such as setting direction, creating key proceses, and nurturing behaviors.

Each chapter pairs concrete narratives with succinct research synopses to show how to expand the potential of people and organizations. A unique, experiential text, Applied Leadership Development engages students with self-reflection and self-assessment exercises, and encourages them in their own development as future leaders.

Context Setting

PHASE 1: What Leaders Do

Element 1: Set Direction

Element 2: Build a Team of People

Element 3: Create Key Processes

Element 4: Steward Structure

Element 5: Nurture Behaviors

PHASE 2: How Leaders Lead

Element 6: Conversations

Element 7: Provide Support

Element 8: Set Boundaries

Element 9: Space to Deliver

Conclusion: The Journey

Leanne Atwater is Professor of Management in the Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston. She has published over 50 journal articles and two books in the areas of leadership and feedback. She teaches leadership development at the graduate and undergraduate levels. She is also the current editor of The Leadership Quarterly.