Leadership Talk: A Discourse Approach to Leader Emergence

Traditionally, management theories have taken

a psychological approach to leadership, often

assuming that it is a personality trait located within

an individual. In contrast, the discursive approach to

leadership, which is the focus of this book, assumes

that leadership is created through communication

practices.

As a leader, this book will provide you with an in-depth

look at an emerging approach to the study of

business leadership that focuses on language as a

vehicle for communicating leadership. The authors

explore a new definition of leadership as the expression

of ideas in talk or in action that are recognized

by others as capable of progressing tasks or solving

problems. The practical implication of this view of

leadership suggests that leaders must constantly enact

and communicate their relationship to their followers

in such a way as to be recognized by them as

a leader. Inside, you and future leaders will learn how

to approach leadership more effectively as a communication

practice that involves and depends upon the

response of potential followers.