Selected: Why Some People Lead, Others Follow, and Why it Matters

This work presents a groundbreaking, definitive exploration of the history and science of leadership that explains everything from why young people join terrorist groups to what prime ministers and presidents can do to improve their chances of electoral success. We are all leaders or followers - or both. We can recognise leadership in almost every area of life: in the workplace, among friends, within families, in politics and religion. But what makes a good - or bad - leader, and why do we have such an obsession with what makes an outstanding one? Fusing psychology, business, history and current affairs, "Selected" examines how and why leadership has evolved over tens of thousands of years, and presents a bold and compelling new 'mismatch hypothesis': that the slowness of evolution means that there is a mismatch between modern leadership and the kind of leadership that our Stone Age brains are still wired for. This makes for all sorts of tendencies, problems and solutions that no author has yet discussed but that affect all aspects of our lives.
Full of fascinating examples drawn from a diverse range of spheres, from politics and commerce to sport and culture, Van Vugt and Ahuja explain why taller political candidates usually win, why middle managers are so disliked and why we don't like working for huge companies. This is the first book of its kind to explore how leadership affects us all - and to provide deep insight into our personal and professional lives.