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Heroic Leaders

  • Living reference work entry
  • First Online:
Global Encyclopedia of Public Administration, Public Policy, and Governance

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Synonyms

Ethical leaders; Personal transformation; Servant leaders; Transforming leaders

Definition

Heroic leadership is the zenith of leadership, founded on the principles of heroism science.

Introduction

Heroic leadership is the zenith of leadership, founded on the principles of heroism science (Allison et al. 2017). A hero is defined as an individual who (a) voluntarily takes actions that are deemed to be exceptionally good or that are directed toward serving a noble principle, (b) makes a significant sacrifice, and (c) takes a great risk. Franco et al. (2011) offer this definition: “Heroism is the willingness to sacrifice or take risks on behalf of others or in defense of a moral cause” (p. 13). Allison and Goethals (2011) define heroism as “doing the right thing at a critical moment,” with the right thing involving a combination of great morality and great competence (p. 9). Heroes do the right thing and do what they must do, regardless of authority, tradition, and consequence...

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References

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA, USA

    Scott T. Allison, Kara E. Cromwell & Smaragda P. Spyrou

Authors
  1. Scott T. Allison
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  2. Kara E. Cromwell
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  3. Smaragda P. Spyrou
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Scott T. Allison .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA

    Ali Farazmand

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Allison, S.T., Cromwell, K.E., Spyrou, S.P. (2018). Heroic Leaders. In: Farazmand, A. (eds) Global Encyclopedia of Public Administration, Public Policy, and Governance. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31816-5_3589-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31816-5_3589-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-31816-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-31816-5

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