Leadership Theories

Action Wheel Leadership offers comprehensive leadership theories that meet the test of local applicability in diverse cultural, geographic, political, economic and social settings.

An authentic leadership theory depends on the ability to call forth authentic action in response to the issues it identifies.

In Authentic Leadership: Courage in Action, Bob Terry proposes that leadership depends on an ability to frame issues correctly—that is, to answer the question: "What is really going on?"

This is leadership theory and practice that incorporates the authenticity and the ethical sensibility needed by leaders if their work is to be relevant to today’s issues and problems.

Within that view of leadership, our purpose is to accomplish two broad goals:

• Build a perspective of leadership that offers a unique orientation yet also embraces the diverse viewpoints within other current leadership theories.
• Construct a practical set of leadership tools and guides that leaders can use to enhance their everyday leadership action.

One of the reasons leadership theory often fails to work consistently, or to be inclusive, is that it starts from the wrong premise. Our premise is that leadership is a subset of action.

This theoretical shift carries enormous consequences for consideration of courage, vision, ethics and spirituality as they relate to leadership. In addition to a starting point, a comprehensive view of leadership must propose a central organizing principle.

What is needed is an idea that can unite theory and practice, the one and the many, and the true and the real. We need leadership theory and principle that can appreciate the richness and diversity of other leadership theories, be open and self-correcting and grounded in action. This principle is authenticity. It is the union of authenticity and action that forms the basis of Action Wheel Leadership's definition of leadership.

Bob Terry on his purpose in writing
Authentic Leadership: Courage in Action:

This book proposes a philosophy of leadership and a philosophy of life. It is neither dispassionate (although it is analytical) nor value—and policy—neutral (although it presents diverse views). Rather, the theory developed here not only focuses on particular aspects of leadership action but also suggests directions for such action.

I have attempted here to help leaders frame issues, understand legitimate and illegitimate uses of power, assess competing visions and articulate a global ethic. Above all, I want to inspire leaders to find the courage to face their fears and build a more authentic world. ~Robert Terry, Authentic Leadership: Courage in Action

Action Wheel Discussion

The Action Wheel is a tool that answers the question: “What is really going on?” It can be used by anyone to identify any issue and resolve any problem.

Have you used the Action Wheel to resolve problems in your organization or in a personal situation?