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Hedgehogs and Foxes

Character, Leadership, and Command in Organizations

Palgrave Macmillan

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Table of contents (17 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xv
  2. Introduction

    1. Introduction

      • Abraham Zaleznik
      Pages 1-6
  3. The Optimists

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 8-8
    2. Character and Mood in Presidential Leadership

      • Abraham Zaleznik
      Pages 45-57
  4. The Narcissists

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 60-60
    2. The Uses of Aggression in Overcoming Bureaucracy

      • Abraham Zaleznik
      Pages 95-102
  5. The Managers

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 104-104
    2. The Myth and Reality of the Managerial Mystique

      • Abraham Zaleznik
      Pages 137-146
  6. The Empowerers

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 148-148
    2. Frantz Fanon: Purgation Through Violence

      • Abraham Zaleznik
      Pages 163-173
    3. The Psychodynamics of Empowerment

      • Abraham Zaleznik
      Pages 175-184
  7. The Humanists

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 186-186
    2. Joseph Conrad: Sharing the Secret of Command

      • Abraham Zaleznik
      Pages 187-198

About this book

In this compelling look at charismatic leaders and their leadership styles, Abraham Zaleznik asserts that leaders are either 'hedgehogs,' who view leadership as a single-minded track driven by unwavering rules, or 'foxes,' who assess and re-evaluate their goals and strategies based on ever-changing factors in business, politics, and culture.

Reviews

"In his new book, Abraham Zaleznik explores the effect on leadership of the tension between the individual identity and the roles imposed by the hierarchies of medicine, business, the military, and politics. Drawing on examples from recent history and from literature, Zaleznik combines the subtle sensitivity of a psychoanalyst with years of experience as a consultant to executives to make this an outstanding and indispensable book on leadership." - Norman N. Holland, Marston-Milbauer Eminent Scholar, University of Florida

"A clear-eyed analysis and masterful account of the human side of leadership. This admirable book demonstrates Zaleznik's wisdom about styles of leadership in different kinds of organizations. This book reaches beyond the corporate world to the pages of modern history and gives us his analysis of Dwight Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan, Martin Luther King jr. and Joseph Conrad. This is not a book that praises the famous, rather the studies are tough minded and, yes, judgmental. Even if you do not agree with all of Zaleznick's evaluations (I ,for example, happen to like Ike) you will be impressed with his understanding." - Alan A.Stone, M.D. Past President of The American Psychiatric Association, Touroff-Glueck Professor of Law and Psychiatry in the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Medicine Harvard University

"In this important new book Abraham Zaleznik discusses leadership in organizations from a psychoanalytic perspective, examining how thecharacter of leaders is formed, and then how that character shapes leadership style, the use of power, success and failure. In ten fascinating case studies we learn of political, social, business and artistic leaders who changed the world, and how their characters came to be. This is must reading for those concerned with understanding leadership in organizations." - Robert Michels, M.D., Walsh McDermott University Professor of Medicine and Psychiatry, Cornell University

About the author

ABRAHAM ZALEZNIK is Konosuke Matsushita Professor of Leadership, Emeritus, Harvard Business School, USA. He is the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award, 1996, and the McKinsey award for best article in the Harvard Business Review.

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Hedgehogs and Foxes

  • Book Subtitle: Character, Leadership, and Command in Organizations

  • Authors: Abraham Zaleznik

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230614154

  • Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan New York

  • eBook Packages: Palgrave Business & Management Collection, Business and Management (R0)

  • Copyright Information: Abraham Zaleznik 2008

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-0-230-60623-4Published: 19 September 2008

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-1-349-37348-2Published: 19 September 2008

  • eBook ISBN: 978-0-230-61415-4Published: 04 August 2008

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XV, 250

  • Topics: Business Strategy/Leadership, Management

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 69.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access