Applied Leadership Development

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.

Al Bolea is the founder and architect of the Applied Leadership Seminars, the former CEO/GM of a large independent oil company in the United Arab Emirates, and a retired executive from a major international oil and gas company, as well as Distinguished Visiting Professor of Leadership at the University of Alaska and a guest leadership lecturer at the University of Houston. 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.

Al Bolea and Leanne Atwater have distilled the essence of leadership and answer questions that aspiring leaders ask. This is among the most valuable and insightful books on leadership I have seen, one that works well at the intersection of theory and practical leadership. A very worthy read. -- Governor Sean Parnell - Alaska Al and Leanne's experiences and teachings in Applied Leadership Development drive home the message of what we take on in our roles as leaders. Leadership is about courage, accountability and the willingness to grow and change. This book is more than a one-time read, it is a tremendous resource manual that will help you grow regardless of where you are in your leadership journey. -- Scott Knutson, Vice President, Executive Accounts, Nalco Champion Bolea and Atwater do a masterful job of blending practical experiences with cutting edge research. Their story-telling approach powerfully combines wisdom with theory into a book that reads more like a weekend novel than a leadership development