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Leadership and followership
Leadership and followership

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5 Sources of information/expertise to keep you up to date

As you’ve learned throughout this course, leadership and followership are significant subjects that have stimulated research and discussion for decades – and will continue to do so.

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Figure 7 The internet is a useful source of information about leadership

If you plan to continue your leadership learning beyond this course, there are several resources that you may find useful. See the References section for the web links.

Business resources

  • Harvard Business Review: a resource for new ideas and classic advice on strategy, innovation and leadership, for global leaders from the world’s best business and management experts. At the time of writing, non-registered users can read up to 5 free articles per month. After a free sign-up you can access more.
  • Forbes: a global media company, focusing on business, investing, technology, entrepreneurship, leadership and lifestyle. At the time of writing, non-registered users can read up to 4 free articles per month.
  • European Business Review: a source of scholarly economic articles on European companies, with sections dedicated to leadership and strategy.
  • Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD): the professional body for HR and people development (search for ‘leadership’).
  • Chartered Management Institute: provider of management and leadership development training, qualifications, membership and research (search for ‘leadership’).

Academic resources

Note that while academic resources will allow you to view abstracts, there is usually a charge to view full articles and papers.

  • The Leadership Quarterly: a social science journal dedicated to advancing our understanding of leadership as a phenomenon, how to study it, as well as its practical implications. A range of open access articles are available here [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] .
  • Journal of Leadership and Organizational Studies: peer-reviewed and published quarterly, this journal seeks to advance the theory, research and practice of all aspects of leadership and organisations. A number of articles are designated ‘free’ or ‘open’ access. Search the most read articles in the last 6 months here.

Leadership organisations

  • International Leadership Association: organised for educational purposes to serve as a global network for all those who practice, study and teach multiple facets of leadership.
  • Centre for Leadership Studies (University of Exeter): brings together outstanding students, faculty and partners to conduct distinctive and high-quality leadership and governance research.
  • Institute of Leadership and Management: creates leaders and develops managers through qualifications, training and cutting-edge research.

High-profile leadership experts who are keen to share their approach

There are numerous individuals who could be listed here, but the following three have different styles, and will introduce you to leadership from slightly different perspectives. Their YouTube videos and TED Talks etc. are a good starting point.

  • Marshall Goldsmith: leadership coach
  • John Kotter: Professor of Leadership, author
  • Simon Sinek: author, motivational speaker and marketing consultant

Activity 5 Reviewing the resources – what works for you?

Timing: Allow about 1 hour

Spend some time online reviewing the resources, organisations and individuals recommended in this section. They each have different styles and approaches – some are more academically focused and others are more practical. Which ones suit you?

Choose three resources that you could regularly refer to or follow on social media.

1.

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2.

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3.

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Discussion

A resource that inspires and motivates you is a useful tool. You could include inspiring quotes etc. in your leadership journal and look back at them when you are feeling tired or frustrated. Following people or organisations on social media, for example, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, provides an easy way to keep up to date with their views and activities without having to spend lots of time reading.