In Presidential Leadership at the Crossroads: William Howard Taft and the Modern Presidency, Michael J. Korzi examines Taft’s presidency against the backdrop of early twentieth century politics, placing particular emphasis on Taft’s theory of presidential leadership. Though Taft’s legacy is often overshadowed by those of Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, his predecessor and successor, respectively, Taft’s model of presidential leadership was complex and nuanced, forged in a time of changing expectations, at the crossroads between traditional and modern views of what the role of a president should be. This focus on Taft’s leadership adds new dimension to our understandings of the Progressive era and presidential leadership in general. Ultimately, Taft’s leadership represented a middle-ground position, one that faced serious challenges from both conservative as well as radical forces, particularly the latter. While embodying some features of the modern presidency, Taft’s model also represented a partial challenge to, and critique of, modern presidential leadership. Korzi reveals that Taft was considerably more modern in his leadership aspirations than previously thought and that his shift to traditionalism, or conservativism, only emerged with the threat of a third Roosevelt term on the horizon. Presidential Leadership at the Crossroads makes an important contribution to our understanding of presidents and their leadership. Taft’s model is particularly relevant today, given the prominence of the modern presidency and its values and expectations. Taft’s moderate, middle-way position provides a foundation for critiquing the excesses of the modern presidency, while offering a vision for strong, if disciplined, presidential leadership.

In Presidential Leadership at the Crossroads: William Howard Taft and the Modern Presidency, Michael J. Korzi examines Taft's presidency against the backdrop of early twentieth century politics, placing particular emphasis on Taft's theory of presidential leadership. Though Taft's legacy is often overshadowed by those of Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, his predecessor and successor, respectively, Taft's model of presidential leadership was complex and nuanced, forged in a time of changing expectations, at the crossroads between traditional and modern views of what the role of a president should be. This focus on Taft's leadership adds new dimension to our understandings of the Progressive era and presidential leadership in general. Ultimately, Taft's leadership represented a middle-ground position, one that faced serious challenges from both conservative as well as radical forces, particularly the latter. While embodying some features of the modern presidency, Taft's model also represented a partial challenge to, and critique of, modern presidential leadership. Korzi reveals that Taft was considerably more modern in his leadership aspirations than previously thought and that his shift to traditionalism, or conservativism, only emerged with the threat of a third Roosevelt term on the horizon. Presidential Leadership at the Crossroads makes an important contribution to our understanding of presidents and their leadership. Taft's model is particularly relevant today, given the prominence of the modern presidency and its values and expectations. Taft's moderate, middle-way position provides a foundation for critiquing the excesses of the modern presidency, while offering a vision for strong, if disciplined, presidential leadership.

Following the election of Donald Trump, the office of the U.S. president has come under scrutiny like never before. Featuring penetrating insights from high-profile presidential scholars, The Presidency provides the deep historical and constitutional context needed to put the Trump era into its proper perspective. Identifying key points at which the constitutional presidency could have evolved in different ways from the nation’s founding days to the present, these scholars examine presidential decisions that determined the direction of the nation and the world. Contributors Bradley R. DeWees, U.S. Air Force * Richard J. Ellis, Willamette University * Stefanie Georgakis Abbott, University of Virginia * Joel K. Goldstein, Saint Louis University * Jennifer Lawless, University of Virginia * Sidney M. Milkis, University of Virginia * Sairkrishna Bangalore Prakash, University of Virginia * Russell L. Riley, University of Virginia * Andrew Rudalevige, Bowdoin College * Sean Theriault, University of Texas at Austin

What is leadership? Not only has that question been debated since the beginning of human culture and society, but it's a moving target based on the definer, and the epoch. The definition can be thought-provoking and profound: A leader is best when people barely know he exists, not so good when people obey and acclaim him, worse when they despise him, (Lao Tzu, 6th century BC ). Or the profundity may lie shrouded in the prosaic: A leader is one who has followers, (Peter Drucker, 20th century). However you define the concept, today's challenges for leaders of all stripes are monumental, and the need for effective leadership is huge. More than anything, this set travels farther and digs deeper than most leadership books. It takes us from mere explanations of leadership to an understanding of it as part of the human condition. Reading it should be at the top of the to-do list for any leader in any era. In Leadership at the Crossroads, contributors from a wide variety of fields, including management, economics, political science, philosophy, sociology, history, literature, and psychology, explore the many facets of leadership. The set comprises: Volume 1: Leadership and Psychology; Volume 2: Leadership and Politics; Volume 3: Leadership and the Humanities. Collectively, this set showcases traditional and emerging approaches to leadership in both theory and practice and raises new questions brought on by society's new challenges. It also suggests solutions for developing and promoting leadership in the corporate world, politics and diplomacy, religion, education, non-profits, and the arts. Whether identifying qualities that will serve a U.S. president well, or the characteristics of the essential can-do supervisor in today's corporation, Leadership at the Crossroads supplies insights and intelligence that will help leaders make the most of the challenges and opportunities lying before them.

Based on extensive research conducted by the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) with participants in The Women's Leadership Program, the book provides a basis for understanding the many choices, tradeoffs, and decisions that face women daily. Showcasing many personal stories, it spotlights five key themes that are essential to guiding executive women's development today - the need to act authentically, make connections, control one's destiny, achieve wholeness, and gain self-clarity."--BOOK JACKET.

Leaders in the Crossroads considers two intriguing issues: an exploration of the characteristics that determine success and failure in the academy's top post and the impact of that post on a college. An evaluation of the responsibilities and challenges presidents face, and how they speak and lead, is a fair way to explore realities about college presidents and their successes and failures. How do presidential leadership, rhetoric, and action connect to the fundamental beliefs and values at the foundation of the university? Are presidents able to make a difference, and if so, how do they contribute to the legacy of the university? College presidents are noteworthy leaders in and outside the gates. Deliberations about the success and failure of the presidency, and its obligation to the foundations of the academy generate more questions than answers. However, this inquiry is crucial because it sheds light on the college presidency and on its relationship to the future of the university.

"This new edited book from the author of Barack Obama in Hawaii and Indonesia: The Making of a Global President (Praeger) will be a wonderful addition to our Leadership: Research and Practice series. It will be one of the first academic books to look at Barack Obama's presidency and analyze how President Obama is viewed within the context of cultural and technological globalization and leadership from different parts of the world. Commentary from the GLOBE team of researchers will be included at the end of sections to analyze how well this President did using the six leadership dimensions from the famous Globe study on leadership"--