Mark Learmonth is Professor of Organization Studies at Durham University, UK. He researches the personal consequences of work.

Kevin Morrell is an Associate Dean at Durham University, UK. He researches how organizations and individuals contribute to the public good.

This book makes visible the work that the language of leadership does in perpetuating fictions that are useful for bosses of work organizations.

List of IllustrationsAcknowledgmentsPreface

1. Introducing the Language of Leadership

Part I: Against 'Leadership'

2. Using the Language of Leadership
3. Measuring the Language of Leadership
4. Polishing Our Chains
5. Building Santa's Workshop

Part II: 'Leadership' as Rhetoric

6. Labels Matter
7. Performing Leadership

Part III: The Seductions of 'Leadership'

8. The Attractions of Being (Called) a 'Leader'
9. A Boost to the Executive Ego

Part IV: Resistance

10. What is to be Done?
11. Concluding Thoughts: Leadership as a Fig Leaf?
12. Further Reading

References
Index