Donna Ladkin: The Philosophical Approach

Ladkin Book Report

In her book Donna Ladkin approaches leadership from a new approach, the Philosophical approach. This method is highly thought provoking for the reader when trying to grasp the many factors that go into leadership. This thoughtful insight allows for readers to understand leadership from an alternative way of thinking, and in doing so brings out fresh ideas about a well explored, but highly controversial topic of what actually makes a leader a leader. The idea of leaders and leadership has been studied in great detail and many have their own interpretation on the dynamics that go into it. Ladkin seems to provide a more holistic explanation of the topic and thus transforms the previous conventional versions of leadership,
There are many well know limitations on leadership and this is apparent in the way there is no clear cut explanation, or theory on the issue. Instead of sticking to the outdated ways of addressing these problems, the author comes at the problem in a different way. She takes insights from Continental philosophy, which questions the “purpose and meaning central to human life.” (1) Although she states that you do not need to be philosophical trained in order to understand the definitions, she recommends “engaging with an open and curious mind”, one piece of advice that when reading is highly encouraged! This continental philosophical approach is introduced in chapter 2 and explains its relevance for leadership research. She describes this approach as one that allows for understanding various sides and perspectives. By engaging with an open and curious mind as she requests, her discussion of leadership can be understood through the different “sides” that are ever apparent in assessing the styles, techniques, traits and characteristics that go into a
What stands out the most is that Ladkin approaches leadership from a philosophical point of view. In doing so, she extends beyond the who’s and how-to’s of leadership and instead focuses on the why’s and what-if’s. Many people might ask the question “What is leadership?” Few, however, would ask “How might we understand leadership as a phenomenon?” The latter is exactly the type of question that Ladkin encourages. Overall, she has taught us that there is more than one way to look at leadership and challenges us to let go of our previously held views of the