Synopses & Reviews
The Leadership Challenge has become one of the best-selling leadership books of all time. Now, with the publication of the fourth edition of their landmark book, Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner celebrate twenty-five years of leadership excellence.
The Leadership Challengethe most trusted source on becoming a better leaderhas 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 Heartthey are better able to embark on a lifetime of success and significance.
Synopsis
James M. Kouzes is Dean's Executive Professor of Leadership, Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University.
Barry Z. Posner, Ph.D. is Dean of the Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University.
Kouzes and Posner are 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.
Synopsis
The most trusted resource on becoming a leader is now updated and revised for a new generation.
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 Everyone?s 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.
About the Author
"The management classic", (
Financial Times, Tuesday 11th September 2007)
"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)
Table of Contents
Preface: Getting Extraordinary Things Done in Organizations.
1 WHAT LEADERS DO AND WHAT CONSTITUENTS EXPECT.
1 THE FIVE PRACTICES OF EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP.
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.