The Science of Leadership: Lessons from Research for Organizational Leaders

by Julian Barling

In The Science of Leadership , Julian Barling takes an evidenced-based approach, relying primarily on the knowledge generated from research on organizational leadership conducted around the world and personal reflections based on two decades of involvement in leadership research and leadership development with executives. While leadership has been studied within all the major social sciences, Barling mainly focuses on findings from psychological research. The first part of the book explains the nature of organizational leadership, responds to the question of whether leaders "matter," and explains how leadership works. A longstanding issue is whether leadership can be taught. Barling explores the debate over whether leadership is "born or made" as well as the effectiveness of leadership development interventions in organizations. He gives consideration to what can be learned from leadership in other contexts such as sports, the political arena, and schools, and devotes individual
chapters to topics that include gender and leadership, destructive leadership, and followership.

Genres: Leadership, Business, Psychology

328 pages, Hardcover

First published January 2, 2014

Reviews

[Zoffix Znet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Remarkably well-sourced book. The suggested reading given for each chapter is as large as what some authors have for the entire book. This gives unassailable credibility to the content of the book, which is well-varied and covers all aspects of leadership and more.

At the same time, I feel the book could be half as long, if only the author would leave out all the names of the studies and their authors out of the main text of the book. The repeated mentions of "XYZ study by X and Y in year 1234" were distractions and made the book feel monotonous in places.

Overall, if you're interested in learning about what leadership studies there are, this is the perfect book for you. However, if you want a research-backed gist of leadership theories and aspects, perhaps you should try a different source.

[K Stott · Rating 2 out of 5]

Barling intended this book to bridge the gap between dry technical textbooks discussing leadership studies and the unscientific celebrity pop-science leadership books that decorate many an airport bookstore. I can tell you which side this book is closer to, and it is not The Art of the Deal. The book discusses the different and evolving theories of leadership, as well as leadership study methodologies, which are good background if I ever do an MBA, but man am I glad I was reading slowly over the course of many mornings and not just before I went to bed. It attempts to talk about some of the big leadership questions out there (are leaders born or made? How does gender influence leadership?) but ends both of those chapters largely with a shrug (its both! It does, we’re not sure why except maybe culturally ingrained discrimination/ gender stereotypes?). As a lay person reading for insights into how I could become a better leader, there were not a lot of nuggets here. Until I start an MBA, I’ll reach for those pop-science leadership books instead.

[Jeffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great amount of breadth and depth for someone looking for a good overview of the actual science behind our body of leadership research. This was perfect for me as an IO-PhD student preparing for comps that doesn't do leadership research.

However, the book is self-billed as being for leaders in organizations. It is noble in its attempt to bring real science to leaders, but it is probably too in-the-weeds for the most part. Reading the endless descriptions of singular studies got tedious, and I study this stuff for a living.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting look at the science and research about leadership. It's also a pretty fast read.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is well researched but accessible. The anecdotes he's chosen to illustrate his points made this very readable.

[Steve Granger · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Science of Leadership is an insightful and beautifully written overview of leadership research with many pockets of wisdom. In particular, Professor Barling guides the reader along with well placed commentary, as well as accurate and relatable examples. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in leadership and leadership theory, particularly if you already have a background in organizational behaviour or industrial/organizational psychology.