This textbook provides a systematic and up-to-date introduction to political, public service and civic leadership. Drawing on a wide range of examples from across the Western world, it elegantly unpacks the dilemmas and complexities that leaders inevitably face, therefore clearly illustrating the distinctive character of public leadership. Written by one of the most respected figures in the field internationally, this text offers an erudite perspective on leadership that avoids superimposing business strategies onto public institutions. With emphasis on both established approaches and cutting-edge research – including his own – the author provides an intellectually sophisticated but accessible assessment of the nature, limitations and potential of public leadership in the twenty-first century.