Leadership Is Communication

Marianne Dainton (Ph.D., The Ohio State University) is a professor emerita of communication at La Salle University. Dr. Dainton is the author/coauthor of Group Communication for Professional Life, Applying Communication Theory for Professional Life, and Strategic Communication Research Methods.

The author's approach brings coherence and clarity to the story of leadership theory in intersection and interaction with communication theory and practice. [...] There's a clear connection to communication concepts here (communication competence), which (for communication students, at least) reinforces other ideas they may learn in a communication curriculum, and it's certainly helpful for those who are taking this class as their only communication class." Janie Hardin Fritz, Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies, Duquesne University "The writing is conversational, easy to read, and accessible to a variety of student levels. All the chapters have a nice depth of research and citations to add weight to the information and provide resources for students to read more deeply. [...] Thank you for including clear student learning outcomes for the chapter to help students focus their attention on important content. [...] I appreciate the self-assessments in each chapter and the cases. I also am glad that leadership and followership are both discussed." Sarah E. Riforgiate, Department of Communication, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee "I like the combination of leadership and followership, because I agree that followership has been all too leader-centric. Leadership is far too privileged in society, and followers are necessary for leaders to get anything done. The self-assessments are great [and] I also like the use of exemplars. [...] The material after the Key Takeaways should prove very useful to students as they apply the chapter's content." Paul M. Smudde, School of Communication, Illinois State University "The writing style is accessible. The length of the chapter is long enough that it will hold the students' attention, but not so long that they will stop reading the chapter. The chapters are up to date. The theory that is used is more current and relevant than the current text I use. However, the author also includes the seminal work that is required to discuss the history of leadership study. [...] I appreciate the modern examples in this textbook. [...] I do like the examples and the case studies as well." Jennifer L. Fairchild, Department of Communication, Eastern Kentucky University "It is engaging, good examples throughout. [...] Really like the leadership exemplars in every chapter. [...] Good balance in introducing new concepts and thoroughly explaining them." Liz D. McNaughtan, Department of Communication Studies, Texas Tech University