Julian Barling on tour

Almost 1,000 QSB alumni and friends gathered at events across Canada and abroad to hear Professor Julian Barling’s talk about leadership. Drawing on lessons from his new book, The Science of Leadership, Julian demystified leadership research and explored how managers can apply the knowledge at work.

The Professor of Organizational Behaviour and Borden Chair of Leadership attracted full houses in Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, Kingston, New York City and London (U.K.). Alumni in Calgary were so keen to attend that the local venue, the Glencoe Club, added a last-minute, standing-room-only section to meet demand.

Through his talks and the lively Q&A sessions that followed, Julian answered several of the main questions leadership researchers have explored for years. Are good leaders born or are they made? Can leadership be taught? How can lessons from research be translated into everyday behaviours that leaders can adopt? Julian says that his book “shows that what we’ve learned from all this research on leadership is doable; that practicing leaders can do it, and can make a difference.”

All attendees received a copy of Julian’s book. Many who attended took the opportunity to have Julian sign their copies.

The Science of Leadership: Lessons from Research for Organizational Leaders (Oxford University Press) can be purchased online, and excerpts are posted on QSBInsight.com. Read the cover story about Julian's book published in the magazine's Winter issue.