LaVerne Ludden
Faculty Emeritus, DOL
Biography
Dr. Ludden has over 40 years of experience in higher education and educational programs for adults. He currently is professor of Organizational Leadership. He previously served as chair of the doctoral program in Organizational Leadership at IWU for five years and helped develop the first doctorate at the university. He has over 35 years of leadership experience and has been an active leader in the International Leadership Association, American Society for Training and Development, and Association of Career Professionals International. He has written 16 books on leadership, entrepreneurship, and career development.
Educational Background:
- B.A., 1971, Asbury College
- M.P.A., 1973, Ball State University
- Ed.D., 1985, Ball State University
Interests
Dr. Ludden's research work in career and workforce development and entrepreneurial leadership is reflected in the 16 books he has written. His current research interest focuses on cognitive processes in leaders including wisdom and leadership, the relationship between a leader's worldview and the corresponding thoughts and actions of the leader. Dr. Ludden recently conducted a study to develop the Christian Worldview Assessment Inventory to help leaders understand their worldview and reflect on how to bring it into closer alignment with a Christian worldview.
Dr. Ludden developed a Wisdom-Based Leadership Model to explain how a person can develop wise leadership. A series of research studies has helped refine the model, support its validity, and create the Wisdom-Based Leadership Inventory. The model and assessment demonstrate how wisdom affects leaders and organizations including the use of reflection, deliberation, intuition, courage, and collaboration.