"This is perhaps the most comprehensive field guide ever written for leaders. The principles are powerful and have been a key part of my personal journey as a leader for years."

—Patrick Lencioni, president, The Table Group, and best-selling author of The Five Dysfunctions of a Team

"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

"Instead of another version of 'celebrity leadership,' The Leadership Challenge helps 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

"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."

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

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.

1 WHAT LEADERS DO AND WHAT CONSTITUENTS EXPECT.

1 THE FIVE PRACTICES OF EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP 3

Leadership Opportunities Are Everywhere.

The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership.

Leadership Is a Relationship.

The Ten Commitments of Leadership.

2 CREDIBILITY IS THE FOUNDATION OF LEADERSHIP.

What People Look For and Admire in Leaders.

Putting It All Together: Credibility Is the Foundation.

2 MODEL THE WAY.

3 CLARIFY VALUES.

Find Your Voice.

Affirm Shared Values.

Reflection and Action.

4 SET THE EXAMPLE.

Personify the Shared Values.

Teach Others to Model the Values.

Reflection and Action.

3 INSPIRE A SHARED VISION.

5 ENVISION THE FUTURE.

Imagine the Possibilities.

Find a Common Purpose.

Reflection and Action.

6 ENLIST OTHERS.

Appeal to Common Ideals.

Animate the Vision.

Reflection and Action.

4 CHALLENGE THE PROCESS.

7 SEARCH FOR OPPORTUNITIES.

Seize the Initiative.

Exercise Outsight.

Reflection and Action.

8 EXPERIMENT AND TAKE RISKS.

Generate Small Wins.

Learn from Experience.

Reflection and Action

5 ENABLE OTHERS TO ACT.

9 FOSTER COLLABORATION.

Create a Climate of Trust.

Facilitate Relationships.

Reflection and Action.

10 STRENGTHEN OTHERS.

Enhance Self-Determination.

Develop Competence and Confidence.

Reflection and Action.

6 ENCOURAGE THE HEART.

11 RECOGNIZE CONTRIBUTIONS.

Expect the Best.

Personalize Recognition.

Reflection and Action.

12 CELEBRATE THE VALUES AND VICTORIES.

Create a Spirit of Community.

Be Personally Involved.

Reflection and Action.

7 LEADERSHIP FOR EVERYONE.

13 LEADERSHIP IS EVERYONE’S BUSINESS.

You Are the Most Important Leader in Your Organization.

Leadership Is Learned.

Leaders Make a Difference.

First Lead Yourself.

Moral Leadership Calls Us to Higher Purposes.

Humility Is the Antidote to Hubris.

Leadership Is in the Moment.

The Secret to Success in Life.

Notes.

Acknowledgments.

About the Authors.

Index.