Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book focuses on issues related to leadership research methodology and what research tells us about best practices in assessing and choosing leaders. It helps scholars to recognize that leadership is a multilevel phenomenon and to incorporate that into conceptualizing studies and data analyses. The book also focuses on self-selection bias, which influences both the leaders who are studied and those who are tagged and selected for leadership positions in organizations. It discusses what's wrong with approach to leadership development, and offers solutions. The book discusses the discipline of critical leadership studies, which has called into question the prevailing theories and methodologies in the bulk of leadership research.