Leadership Is Communication
Strategies and Skills for Success
(First Edition)
©2026, 336 pages
Paperback list price: $82.95
Cognella Direct Ebook: $70.95
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Designed to resonate with today’s students, leadership is construed broadly in the text, which features leaders and followers not only from the corporate and political realms, but also sports, religion, entertainment, social movements, and the nonprofit sector. The book also highlights social media influencers and the leadership-followership process. Each chapter includes rich pedagogical features designed to enhance learning and encourage application: a boxed overview of a prominent ethical perspective; exemplars of consummate, flawed, and failed leaders; an original case scenario; and discussion questions meant to foster a more nuanced view of the leadership-followership process. In addition, a self-assessment tool and a leadership competency development technique are included in each chapter.
Comprehensive and reader-friendly, Leadership Is Communication is an ideal textbook for courses in organizational leadership, strategic communication, business communication, management, and human resources development.
Marianne Dainton (Ph.D., The Ohio State University) is a professor emerita of communication at La Salle University. Dr. Dainton is the author/coauthor of Group Communication for Professional Life, Applying Communication Theory for Professional Life, and Strategic Communication Research Methods.
Other Cognella titles by Marianne Dainton:Cognella Active Learning is available for this title! Adopting instructors can provide students with dynamic online learning activities that reinforce key concepts from the text, provide engaging educational experiences, and support various learning styles.
Please note: Cognella Active Learning can be bundled for purchase with the text or posted separately. Contact us to learn about bundle discounts.
The Cognella Active Learning content for Leadership Communication includes:
To see a full demo, please email us and one of our adoption specialists will follow up with you.
Please note: Cognella Active Learning can be bundled for purchase with the text or posted separately. Contact us to learn about bundle discounts.
The Cognella Active Learning content for Leadership Communication includes:
- 12 decks of digital flashcards
- 12 key term matching exercises
- 12 surveys
- 12 quizzes
- 12 video assignments
- 12 end-of chapter reflection assignments
To see a full demo, please email us and one of our adoption specialists will follow up with you.
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Publisher Direct Paperback | These special, discounted paperback editions are sold exclusively through the Cognella Student Store (store.cognella.com) for confirmed adoptions. They are not available through other retailers. The books are printed on demand, do not have an ISBN, and are not intended for resale, which results in savings we pass along to students. Most Publisher Direct Paperbacks also come with free, immediate access to the first 30% of the ebook and shipping included. |
| $24.95 | Standalone Cognella Active Learning | Cognella Active Learning provides dynamic online content within a custom digital learning environment. Free with purchase of textbook or ebook. |
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Cognella Active Learning provides students with dynamic online content within a custom digital learning environment. Access codes are available with print books or ebooks. Contact us for course adoptions; not available for individual purchase. |
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| $24.95 | Standalone Cognella Active Learning Talk to a rep for ISBN details |
Cognella Active Learning provides dynamic online content within a custom digital learning environment. Does not include the ebook. Contact us for course adoptions; not available for individual purchase. |
Adopting instructors will receive PowerPoints, test banks, a sample syllabus, and an instructor's manual.
"The leadership theory treatment and communication focus are outstanding; the research base is thoughtfully constructed, and the structure overall is what I would call lively, with multiple attention-commanding elements, including tables, case studies, opening scenarios, and the 'consummate,' 'flawed,' and 'failed' leaders serving as excellent representative examples. The questions are also valuable for assignments and discussion. I have heard that other books connected with this author are highly accessible, and this one is no exception. Very readable!
The author’s approach brings coherence and clarity to the story of leadership theory in intersection and interaction with communication theory and practice. […] There’s a clear connection to communication concepts here (communication competence), which (for communication students, at least) reinforces other ideas they may learn in a communication curriculum, and it’s certainly helpful for those who are taking this class as their only communication class."
Janie Hardin Fritz, Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies, Duquesne University
"The writing is conversational, easy to read, and accessible to a variety of student levels. All the chapters have a nice depth of research and citations to add weight to the information and provide resources for students to read more deeply. […] Thank you for including clear student learning outcomes for the chapter to help students focus their attention on important content. […] I appreciate the self-assessments in each chapter and the cases. I also am glad that leadership and followership are both discussed."
Sarah E. Riforgiate, Department of Communication, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
"I like the combination of leadership and followership, because I agree that followership has been all too leader-centric. Leadership is far too privileged in society, and followers are necessary for leaders to get anything done. The self-assessments are great [and] I also like the use of exemplars. […] The material after the Key Takeaways should prove very useful to students as they apply the chapter’s content."
Paul M. Smudde, School of Communication, Illinois State University
"The writing style is accessible. The length of the chapter is long enough that it will hold the students’ attention, but not so long that they will stop reading the chapter. The chapters are up to date. The theory that is used is more current and relevant than the current text I use. However, the author also includes the seminal work that is required to discuss the history of leadership study. […] I appreciate the modern examples in this textbook. […] I do like the examples and the case studies as well."
Jennifer L. Fairchild, Department of Communication, Eastern Kentucky University
"It is engaging, good examples throughout. […] Really like the leadership exemplars in every chapter. […] Good balance in introducing new concepts and thoroughly explaining them."
Liz D. McNaughtan, Department of Communication Studies, Texas Tech University
The author’s approach brings coherence and clarity to the story of leadership theory in intersection and interaction with communication theory and practice. […] There’s a clear connection to communication concepts here (communication competence), which (for communication students, at least) reinforces other ideas they may learn in a communication curriculum, and it’s certainly helpful for those who are taking this class as their only communication class."
Janie Hardin Fritz, Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies, Duquesne University
"The writing is conversational, easy to read, and accessible to a variety of student levels. All the chapters have a nice depth of research and citations to add weight to the information and provide resources for students to read more deeply. […] Thank you for including clear student learning outcomes for the chapter to help students focus their attention on important content. […] I appreciate the self-assessments in each chapter and the cases. I also am glad that leadership and followership are both discussed."
Sarah E. Riforgiate, Department of Communication, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
"I like the combination of leadership and followership, because I agree that followership has been all too leader-centric. Leadership is far too privileged in society, and followers are necessary for leaders to get anything done. The self-assessments are great [and] I also like the use of exemplars. […] The material after the Key Takeaways should prove very useful to students as they apply the chapter’s content."
Paul M. Smudde, School of Communication, Illinois State University
"The writing style is accessible. The length of the chapter is long enough that it will hold the students’ attention, but not so long that they will stop reading the chapter. The chapters are up to date. The theory that is used is more current and relevant than the current text I use. However, the author also includes the seminal work that is required to discuss the history of leadership study. […] I appreciate the modern examples in this textbook. […] I do like the examples and the case studies as well."
Jennifer L. Fairchild, Department of Communication, Eastern Kentucky University
"It is engaging, good examples throughout. […] Really like the leadership exemplars in every chapter. […] Good balance in introducing new concepts and thoroughly explaining them."
Liz D. McNaughtan, Department of Communication Studies, Texas Tech University
