Leadership Theory Taxonomy Project
A person who is an expert on leadership (e.g., someone with a degree in Leadership Studies)
should have a detailed, comprehensive, and critical understanding of these theories. But of the
hundreds of theories and models of leadership, which ones are so essential that they deserve to
be on the MUST KNOW list of leadership theories? The Leadership Theory Taxonomy Project
was designed to provide an answer to that question by reviewing the 10 leading texts in the field,
and from each text identifying the key theories, models, and concepts that are emphasized within
and across these texts.
Working in pairs, please review the assigned text, surveying the theories, topics, and concepts
covered. The pairs should not read the book; they should rapidly review the book's contents,
jotting down notes about the theories that the book considers, key concepts and topics, and mostfrequently mentioned theorists.
1. Overview of Content and Organization
1.1. Chapters: Examine the Table of Contents. What are the titles? What theories and
concepts are noted in the content listing?
1.2. Organization: How is the book organized? Does the author(s) explain the
organization?
2. Coverage: Key Topics Examined
2.1. Theories: Scan the index, noting entries for theories (e.g., authentic leadership, Big
Five Theory, charismatic theory, contingency theory). Make some notes about the
size of the entry, subentries, how many pages, etc.
2.2. Topics: Scan the index for prominent concepts and topics, such as women leaders,
crisis leadership, charisma, etc.
3. Chapters: Theories, Concepts, Features
3.1. Theories: Identify, chapter by chapter, key theories, concepts, and topics. What
theories are mentioned, and in what level of detail? If possible, distinguish between
• Major and minor theories
• Leadership theories/models and more general theories/perspectives
3.2. Concepts and topics: What are major concepts and topics examined (e.g., women
leaders, ethics, crisis, group performance, teams, change, development). If possible,
identify concepts/topics that lack theoretical development
3.3. Features: Note any specific features you notice in each chapter, such as:
• Data: does the book bring in research findings—were the theories tested?
• Cases: any space given to real-world or contrived cases? Are any leaders profiled?
• Theorists: are any theorists discussed prominently
• Self-assessments: any measures, surveys, questionnaires?
• Figures: any charts, models, diagrams, graphs?
4. Analysis: Commentary and Conclusions
• How does the book define leadership (please quote it carefully, giving page number)?
• Does the book compare leadership to management?
• Did you find anything particularly interesting, noteworthy?
• What was boring, dull, commonplace in the book?