Sage Publications

Foundations and Perspectives of Leadership

Sage Publications

Foundations and Perspectives of Leadership

Sage Instructors

Instructor: Sage Instructors

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Intermediate level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Intermediate level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Examine leadership as a social and socio-cognitive phenomenon

  • Understand the role of relationships in leadership dynamics

  • Analyze leadership through feminist and critical perspectives Development

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Recently updated!

September 2026

Assessments

15 assignments

Taught in English

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This course is part of the The SAGE Handbook of Leadership Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
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There are 14 modules in this course

This module explores the theoretical and empirical foundations of plural leadership, examining how leadership roles can be distributed across individuals or interactions. It covers historical perspectives, key debates, and emerging research on collective and decentralized leadership models. Learners will develop a critical understanding of how leadership operates in diverse organizational contexts.

What's included

1 video6 readings1 assignment

This module explores leadership through the lens of practice theories, examining how leadership is understood as a dynamic, distributed, and relational process. Learners will gain insight into the evolution of leadership studies and the role of practice theories in reshaping traditional views. The module emphasizes the complexity of leadership as a phenomenon and how it can be reimagined in modern organizational contexts.

What's included

1 video7 readings1 assignment

This module explores how leadership emerges through everyday interactions, focusing on observational research methods, identity construction, and the material aspects of leadership. Learners will gain an understanding of how leadership is shaped by social practices, roles, and the physical environment. The module emphasizes the importance of interaction in organizational contexts.

What's included

1 video6 readings1 assignment

This module explores the dynamics of leader-member exchange (LMX) relationships, including their development stages, influencing factors, theoretical foundations, and the impact on employee and organizational outcomes. Learners will analyze how LMX quality varies at individual and group levels and examine critiques of its theoretical clarity and measurement challenges.

What's included

1 video6 readings1 assignment

This module explores the role of social identity in leadership, examining how leader group prototypicality affects leadership effectiveness and the implications of follower-centric theories. It also investigates how group prototypes influence perception and behavior within social groups, providing insights into leadership dynamics in various contexts.

What's included

1 video6 readings1 assignment

This module explores the concept of the 'romance of leadership,' examining its origins, implications, and real-world applications. It delves into how leadership is perceived and evaluated in different contexts, including sports and politics. Learners will gain a deeper understanding of the theoretical and practical dimensions of leadership narratives.

What's included

1 video4 readings1 assignment

This module explores the concept of distributed leadership in teams, focusing on how leadership responsibilities are shared among team members over time. It covers the functional aspects of leadership distribution, including the roles, people, and temporal dynamics that influence team effectiveness. Learners will gain insights into how leadership can be more collaborative and adaptive in modern organizational settings.

What's included

1 video6 readings1 assignment

This module explores the dynamic relationship between leadership and followership, examining how followers influence leaders and shape group outcomes. It covers theoretical frameworks, the role of followers in maintaining ethical and effective leadership, and the challenges in measuring followership. Learners will gain insight into the importance of balanced power structures in organizations.

What's included

1 video5 readings1 assignment

This module explores the integration of leadership models through the HEXACO personality framework, examining how leadership traits can be understood as extensions of personality. It covers the structure of leadership traits, their validity, and the implications of self-other agreement in leadership assessments. Learners will gain insights into how personality and leadership are interconnected and how to evaluate these relationships effectively.

What's included

1 video9 readings1 assignment

This module explores the development and evolution of implicit leadership and followership theories, focusing on how individuals form mental models of leaders and followers. It covers key research themes, misconceptions, and modern approaches that consider dynamic and plural leadership contexts. Learners will gain insights into how these theories influence real-world leadership practices and team dynamics.

What's included

1 video6 readings1 assignment

This module explores the role of emotions in leadership, focusing on how leaders regulate emotions at individual and interpersonal levels. It covers key concepts like emotional intelligence, emotional contagion, and emotion regulation models, providing insights into how these elements shape effective leadership practices.

What's included

1 video3 readings1 assignment

This module explores the concept of authentic leadership, examining its theoretical roots, critiques, and practical implications. Learners will analyze the evolution of the AL construct and evaluate its relevance in modern leadership practices. The module also considers alternative perspectives on leadership authenticity.

What's included

1 video5 readings1 assignment

This module explores the expanded concept of followership in charismatic leadership, focusing on the roles of external stakeholders like investors, media, and business partners. It examines how these groups influence leaders and contribute to organisational success through resource and career commitments. Learners will gain insights into the broader dynamics of leadership and the diverse motivations of external followers.

What's included

1 video7 readings1 assignment

This module explores the evolution of leadership development, examining evidence-based strategies, theoretical perspectives, and practical challenges. It highlights the importance of sense-making and sense-breaking in enhancing leadership effectiveness and covers both individual and collective development approaches. Learners will gain insights into current research and the gap between theory and practice.

What's included

1 video8 readings2 assignments

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Instructor

Sage Instructors
Sage Publications
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