This book is a guide to the central concepts of leadership. What are the main characteristics of effective leadership? How can we understand leadership today? This wide-ranging, interdisciplinary book provides readers with a complete introduction to the essentials of leadership. Included here are entries on what leadership is, how it is practiced and the relevant strengths and pitfalls. The book provides a guide to one of the most central and contested concepts in the social sciences. As a reference tool, it contains entries on: The eight questions of leadership; The five minds of the manager; Leadership and psychology; Developmental approaches to leadership; Functional leadership; Leadership practice. The book also offers insights into issues such as: Are leaders born or made?; Authoritarian versus participative leadership; The psychology of leaders and followers; Leadership development; Leadership styles, skills, and functions; Leadership in practice.