Leadership in Context

The Four Faces of Capitalism

New Horizons in Leadership Studies series

Mark N. Wexler, Professor of Management and Organizational Studies, Simon Fraser University and President, Perimeter Group of Consultants and Trainers, Vancouver, Canada

领导人,not born, Mark Wexler argues, and they cannot be understood in a vacuum. There is no simple answer as to why certain people select one leader over others. Those who look for a master story within capitalism to encapsulate the effective leader are, he asserts, caught and blinded within the headlights of a particular worldview. Rather, leaders can be understood and evaluated within the cognitive lens of four distinct and competing worldviews – entrepreneurial, regulatory, communitarian and network.

‘This is a professionally thorough work providing a range of ideas and suggestions as well as a new vocabulary and paradigm of thought grounded in contextualism and polyglotism for the leaders of contemporary organizations. . . Given the nature of the four faces of capitalism, four archetypical leadership stories or styles identified, the comprehensive nature of the treatment of the subject, practical examples and directions given, the book will appeal to professional leaders, managers, prospective leaders, and students of leadership and organizational studies. Most importantly it gives ample directions as to how to think beyond the box, i.e. one’s preferred worldview and skill set.’
– Siri Gamage, Journal of Workplace Learning

‘Wexler talks with rich texture about the four faces of capitalism. The author outlines how a leader can learn to adapt and overcome local idiosyncrasies. This book is new and original. It will be useful for academics eager to bring theory to practice.’
– Personal Journal