The Leadership Studies Program at Williams seeks to gain a better understanding of the universal phenomenon of leadership in human groups, whether in a family, a team, a theater company, a university, a major corporation, or a nation-state. What does leadership mean in these very different social contexts, and what is not leadership at all? What are the bases of legitimacy that leaders claim, and followers grant, in all of these relationships? Are these bases different in varying historical and cultural contexts? How do effective leaders use power, authority, and influence in all of these contexts? What are the moral and ethical dilemmas they face? To be effective, must leaders always interact personally with their followers, or can they lead simply through the power of their ideas as reflected in a work of art, a piece of literature, or a scientific theorem? What are the particular challenges for women and minority leaders? Critically, why are some leaders effective and a few even exemplary, while many others fail?

To grapple with questions like the ones above, tools and perspectives from a wide range of academic fields must be utilized, as Professor Burns recognized. Leadership Studies is, thus, a “master discipline" uniquely suited for a liberal arts institution like Williams. The Leadership Studies Program draws on the College’s exceptional faculty to offer a multi-disciplinary course of study with leadership-focused courses offered in ten different departments, as well as in the core program. Students may graduate with a concentration and can choose to focus their study on a general leadership studies or an American foreign policy track.

The Leadership Studies Program also aspires to make distinctive contributions to the field. Consequently, it supports faculty research and publications, regularly hosts distinguished guest lecturers, and sponsors a number of symposiums and conferences for various combinations of scholars, prominent leaders, alumni, and current students.