Praise for The Leadership Challenge

"Leadership books are a dime a dozen, and most don't last a week, let alone years. The Leadership Challengehas lasted because it is research-based, it is practical, and it has heart! Believe me, Jim and Barry have hard evidence for what we usually think of as a soft topic."

—Tom Peters, management guru, founder, and chairman, Tom Peters Company, and author of In Search of Excellence

"For all who lead others or aspire to lead others, The Leadership Challengeis the indispensable guidebook. Its vision and message inspire, engage, and motivate leaders of the future to lead the organization of the future, into a future no one can yet describe. Once again Kouzes and Posner provide the leadership resource exactly right for the challenges of our turbulent times."

—Frances Hesselbein, chairman, Leader to Leader Institute; former CEO, Girl Scouts of the USA

"Jim and Barry have done the most practical, comprehensive, and inspiring research on leadership that I have ever read. Instead of another version of 'celebrity leadership,' The Leadership Challengehelps us gain practical wisdom from real leaders at all levels in many types of organizations. Every leader can relate to the knowledge in this book!"

—Marshall Goldsmith, best-selling author of What Got You Here Won't Get You Thereand one of Forbes' five top executive coaches

"This is a wonderful book about people. Kouzes and Posner know that companies and organizations don't accomplish great things, people do! They use sound research, true principles, and interesting real-life stories to make their case, and they teach the specific skills that each of us needs to be good leaders and better people. Already read an earlier edition? Me too. Now go read it again."

—David A. Petersen, president and CEO, O.C. Tanner Company

"After 20 years in print, this key publication has undergone a substantial revision for its fourth edition." (People Management, Thursday 1st November 2007)

"After three editions and 20 years in print, this leadership classic continues to be the premier resource on becoming a leader."  (Securities & Investment Review, November 2007)

This leadership classic continues to be a bestseller after three editions and twenty years in print. It is the gold standard for research-based leadership, and the premier resource on becoming a leader. This new edition, with streamlined text, more international and business examples, and a graphic redesign, is more readable and accessible than ever before. The Leadership Challenge, Fourth Edition, has been extensively updated with the latest research and case studies, and offers inspiring new stories of real people achieving extraordinary results. The authors' central theme remains the same and is more relevant today than ever: "Leadership is Everyones Business." Their "five practices" and "ten commitments" have been proven by hundreds of thousands of dedicated, successful leaders. This edition, with almost one-third new material, emphasizes the global community and refocuses on business leaders. Order your copy today.

The Leadership Challenge—the most trusted source on becoming a better leader—has been thoroughly updated and revised for a new generation of leaders living and working in a global environment. Building on the knowledge base of the previous books, the fourth edition is grounded in research and presents extensive interviews with a diverse group of leaders at all levels in a wide variety of organizations from around the world. The authors emphasize that the fundamentals of leadership are not a fad. While the context of leadership has changed dramatically, the content of leadership has endured the test of time.

With scores of new case studies and a timeless and inspiring message, The Leadership Challenge is a "personal coach in a book," guiding readers through the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership®. When leaders understand that leadership is a relationship and they begin to engage in the Five Practices— Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act, and Encourage the Heart—they are better able to embark on a lifetime of success and significance.

Barry Z. Posner,Ph.D. is Dean of the Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University.

Kouzesand Posnerare the coauthors of A Leader's Legacy, Credibility, Encouraging the Heart, and The Leadership Challenge Workbook, and over a dozen other books and workbooks on leadership and leadership development. They also developed the highly acclaimed Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI) and LPI Online, 360-degree assessment tools based on the Five Practices.