If your course syllabus specifically requires the (e.g., the professor wrote page references to that edition), you are somewhat stuck. However, most leadership courses are edition-agnostic. The 8th edition (2014) and 9th edition (2017) are 85-90% identical in core theory, with updated cases.
Da Daft emphasizes that leadership is , evolving as leaders interact with followers, context, and time. This experiential view underpins the book’s focus on reflection, feedback, and practice . daft richard l. the leadership experience -7th ed.- pdf