Characteristics of Leadership Studies as an Academic Discipline

1
Characteristics of Leadership Studies as an
Academic Discipline

• Karen Norum, Ph.D.
• Doctoral Program in Leadership Studies
• Gonzaga University
• norum_at_gonzaga.edu

2
Normative Aspects

• Knowledge, Rules, and Attitudes
• Growth in Leadership minors, certificates, and
  degrees
• Discourse within the field

3
Reflexive Aspects

• Evolution of Leadership Theory
• Current Questions

4
Different Disciplines Value Different Things

• Faculty practices
• Understanding of scholarship
• Place of outreach activities
• (Diamond, 2002)

5
Discourse Associations

• Academy of Management
• American Association for Higher Education
• American Council on Education
• American Management Association
• American Society for Training and Development
• Association of Leadership Educators
• Institute for Women and Organizations
• International Leadership Association
• LEAD International
• National Academy for Academic Leadership
• Society for Organizational Learning

6
Discourse Centers

• Center for Leadership Studies (Binghampton
  University)
• Greenleaf Center for Servant-Leadership
• Gallup Leadership Institute (University of
  Nebraska)
• Institute for Leadership Research (Texas Tech)
• Intercollegiate Studies Institute
• James MacGregor Burns Academy of Leadership
• Leadership Development Institute (University of
  Maryland)
• Stritch Leadership Center (Cardinal Stritch)

7
Discourse Journals

• Academy of Management Review
• Advancing Women in Leadership Journal
• International Journal of Leadership Studies
• International Journal of Servant Leadership
• Journal of Leadership and Organizational Studies
• Journal of Leadership Research
• Journal of Management Systems
• Journal of Organizational Change Management
• Leader to Leader
• Leadership
• Leadership Quarterly
• Leadership Review
• Strategic Management Journal

8
Interdisciplinary Studies

• Encourage lifelong learning
• Creatively cut across disciplines
• Expand knowledge in other fields
• Integrates fields

9
Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Leadership Studies
Programs

• Andrews University
• Antioch University
• Case Western Reserve University (EDM Executive
  Doctor of Management)
• Gonzaga University
• Lynn University
• Our Lady of the Lake University
• Regent University
• Thierry Graduate School of Leadership
• University of Maryland, Eastern Shore
• University of Nebraska

10
Common Values

• Critical Thought
• Systems Thinking
• Scholar-Practitioners
• Multiple Settings
• Global Perspective
• Positive Potential

• Equality
• Social Justice
• Freedom
• Community
• Service
• Commitment
• Ethics

Rembrandt
11
Interdisciplinary Nature

• Leadership is studied as it is practiced in
  different organizations and societies
• Looking at leadership through the lens of
  different disciplines allows for comparison of
  similarities and differences
• Art and Science

Rembrandt
12
Reflexivity Evolution of Theory

• Trait
• Behavior
• Power-Influence
• Situational
• Integrative
• (Yukl, 2006)

13
Levels of Study

• Individual behaviors and traits
• Dyads (leader-follower)
• Group process
• Organizational
• (Yukl, 2006)

14
Moving Towards IntegrationCurrent Questions

• What is the work of a leader? vs.
• What is the work of leadership?

15
The Work of Leadership

• Moves away from Great Man Theory
• Implies do not have to be a certain kind of
  person
• Requires critical, global thinking
• Anyone can lead from anywhere

16
The Challenge

• How can leadership studies be a discipline and
  interdisciplinary at the same time?
• Can a discipline be interdisciplinary without
  losing its soul?

17
References

• Becher, T. Trowler, P.R. (2001). Academic
  Tribes and Territories, 2nd Ed. England Open
  University Press.
• Diamond, R. M. (Ed.). (2006). Field Guide to
  Academic Leadership. San Francisco Jossey-Bass.
• International Leadership Association Resources.
  Website http//www.academy.umd.edu/ila/Resources/
  
• Norum, K. E. (in press). Magis Leadership An
  Active Ontology of the Heart. (will appear in
  2006 International Journal of Servant Leadership)
• Rost, J.C. (1993). Leadership for the
  Twenty-First Century. Westport, CT Praeger

18
References

• Smallwood, S. (2005, October 21). Graduate
  Schools are Urged to Look Outward to Help
  Society. Chronicle of Higher Education.
• Sorenson, G. (2002). An Intellectual History of
  Leadership Studies. Retrieved 10/25/05 from
  http//www.academy.umd.edu/publications/presidenti
  al_leadership/sorenson_apsa.htm
• Yukl, G. (2006). Leadership in Organizations,
  6th Ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ Pearson Education.