Managing Without Leadership

A critical examination of leadership theories past and present, Managing without Leadership argues that leadership as traditionally understood does not explain organizational functioning. Bounded by empiricist assumptions and methodology, and including a narrow theory of mind as symbol processor, leadership theories are unable to support their claims about leaders and their actions. Drawing on coherentist epistemology, connectionism, and the theory of self-organizing dynamic systems, a naturalistic account of organizational functioning and organization design is explored that includes leaders as non-privileged agents in the cognitive fabric of organizational life.
Argues that leadership as traditionally understood does not explain organizational functioning. Drawing on coherentist epistemology, connectionism, and the theory of self-organizing dynamic systems, a naturalistic account of organizational functioning is explored that includes leaders as non-privileged agents in the fabric of organizational life.
"Managing Without Leadership challenges orthodox thinking about leadership provoking scholars in the field to re-examine the epistemological assumptions that underpin their work." - Professor James Spillane, Northwestern University, US