Synopses & Reviews
Praise for Making Extraordinary Things Happen in Asia"The leader's mantra is: 'Try, fail, learn. Try, fail, learn.' Experiment, take risks, and then capitalize on the results. Leadership can be learned by anyone, the authors claim, and successful leadership in Asiawhether one is Asian or notisn't unique. While environments may differ greatly, the practices of exceptional leaders are universal. Read the revealing case studies and analyses in this volume to learn why and, more importantly, how to develop these practices yourself."
Dr. Richard R. Vuylsteke, president, American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong
"With all the focus and attention in the world on Asia, Making Extraordinary Things Happen in Asia is more than a timely reminder by Jim, Barry, and Steven that regardless of context and culture, leaders do make a difference. The examples, people, and companies in the book provide an insightful backdrop to what makes Asian leaders tick. More importantly, it shows that, while Asia is a largely hierarchical society, everyday leaders who inspire and influence positive action, regardless of titles or position, are what Asia and the world needs today."
Martin Tan, co-founder and executive director, Halogen Foundation Singapore
"I've always felt that the best way to learn about leadership in business is to listen to those who have experienced success or failure who are willing to share their stories with others. This book does an exemplary job of educating us through the many experiences of real business people in Asia. Those storiesplus the authors' emphasis on the importance of learning to operate in the critical global environmentmake this book an essential reading experience for anyone planning to do business in the exciting Asia market."
Jim Thompson, chairman, Crown Worldwide Group
"The book annotates lots of easy-to-read and enjoyable Asian leadership stories that resonate with the time-tested and evidence-based, Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership®. Explicit powerful leadership lessons can be drawn from each story coupled with invaluable wisdom and sound advice offered by the authors. A must-read for all leaders and aspiring leaders in Asia and beyond."
Peter Cheng and Lily Cheng, authors of Real Leaders and founders PACE O.D. Consulting Pte Ltd
Review
"Making Extraordinary Things Happen in Asia is a useful book full of commonsense for the modern business person, wherever they are working." - The Global Herald (May 2013)
Synopsis
An in-depth look at how leaders in Asia apply the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership in their organizationsKouzes and Posner's Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership is the most trusted and proven leadership paradigm in the business world. Making Extraordinary Things Happen in Asia focuses on the unique ways leaders in Asia have applied the Five Practices and documents their success with it. Using actual case studies and first-person experiences, the book examines the Five Practices framework, shows how the behaviors of individual leaders make a difference, and reveals what leadership in Asia looks like on a daily basis.
Each of the Five Practices is supported with five or six case studies illustrating what the Practice looks like on a behavioral level. After examining the Five Practices, the book then reveals what actions would-be and current leaders in Asia can do to improve their leadership skills and effectiveness.
- Customizes the legendary Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership framework specifically for Asian leaders, and a companion to The Leadership Challenge
- Features real case studies that show the Practices in action on a daily basis
- From leadership gurus James Kouzes and Barry Posner, together with one of Asia's top leadership experts, Steve DeKrey
For leaders and aspiring leaders of Asian organizations and business, Making Extraordinary Things Happen in Asia is an invaluable guide to long-term leadership success.
Synopsis
F or more than 25 years, Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner's landmark research on leadership has made their Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership® the most trusted source on becoming a better leader. Based on their extensive research in Asia, Making Extraordinary Things Happen in Asia casts Kouzes and Posner's enduring work in a global context, demonstrating that the process of leadership is universal and is relevant across cultures, environments, settings, and populations. Leadership is not a solo act. It's not about position, personality, power, genetics, or family heritage. It's about how you behave and your relationships with others. In this book you will see how leaders from China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam work with others to liberate the leader in everyone. Kouzes and Posner's time-tested The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership® are critical to a leader's success. When leaders understand that leadership is a relationship and they engage in The Five PracticesModel the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act, and Encourage the Heartthey are better able to embark on their lifelong journey of success and significance. Jim and Barry, along with Steve DeKrey, offer fresh insight into the changes in how people work and what people want from their work. Making Extraordinary Things Happen in Asia is filled with illustrative examples from a wide-range of Asian leaders who clearly demonstrate the power of The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership. This book is an indispensable resource for leaders (and aspiring leaders) at all levels.
About the Author
James Kouzes is the Dean's Executive Fellow of Leadership, Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University, and lectures on leadership around the world to corporations, governments, and nonprofits.
Barry Posner is Michael J. Accolti Endowed Professor of Leadership and former Dean (1997-2009) of the Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University. An accomplished scholar, he also provides leadership workshops and seminars around the world.
Kouzes and Posner are the authors of The Leadership Challenge, 5th Edition, Credibility, The Truth About Leadership, A Leader's Legacy, Encouraging the Heart, and The Student Leadership Challenge, among many other works. They also developed the highly acclaimed Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI).
Steven DeKrey is the 9th president of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), in the Philippines. Previously he was the senior associate dean and director of masters programs for the business school at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
DeKrey is the author of Learning from Leaders in Asia and Leadership Experiences in Asia.
Table of Contents
1. When Asian Leaders Are at Their Best 1The Leadership Challenge Around the World 3
The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership 5
Model the Way 6
Inspire a Shared Vision 9
Challenge the Process 10
Enable Others to Act 11
Encourage the Heart 12
The Five Practices in Action 14
2. Model the Way 17
Find Commitment Through Shared Values: How Values Guide Us in Deciding to Engage . . . or Not 19
Teach the Values: Affirming Shared Values Through Education and Action 23
Walk the Talk: Showing Others How to Model the Way in Hard Times 27
Confront Critical Incidents: Leading Through Shared Values 29
Teach by Following Through: How Being Consistent with Your Values Builds Trust 31
PRACTICE: Model the Way 34
3. Inspire a Shared Vision 37
Envision a Better Future: Showing There’s Opportunity in a Crisis 39
Find a Common Purpose: Helping Others to See Themselves in the Picture 44
Appeal to Shared Aspirations: The Way for Others to See How a Common Vision Serves Their Interests 48
Listen, Learn, and Follow Through: Enlisting Others by Connecting to Their Interests 52
PRACTICE: Inspire a Shared Vision 56
4. Challenge the Process 59
Encourage Initiative in Others: Making It Possible for Others to Lead and Learn 62
Be an Active Learner: Letting Mistakes Teach Valuable Lessons and Point to a Better Way 65
Accept Coaching: Learning from Others’ Experiences 69
Seek Advice: Having the Courage to Ask for Help 71
PRACTICE: Challenge the Process 78
5. Enable Others to Act 81
Build Trusting Relationships: Showing Concern and Interest in Others 83
Be the First to Trust: Letting Others Know You Care, One Small Action at a Time 87
Develop Cooperative Goals: How Managing a Friend Resulted in Leading a Team 90
Appreciate Differences: Seeing Things from Others’ Perspectives Improves Relationships and Performance 94
PRACTICE: Enable Others to Act 99
6. Encourage the Heart 101
Expect the Best: How Believing in Others and Small Gestures Make a Big Difference 103
Be Clear About Goals and Rules: Rewarding Progress Requires Systems and Celebrations 107
Show Appreciation—or Put Your Own Success at Risk 110
Show You Care: Learning How to Appreciate the Work of Others 114
PRACTICE: Encourage the Heart 116
7. Make a Difference 119
You Are the Most Important Leader in Your Organization 120
Leadership Is Learned 122
First, Lead Yourself 124
Leadership Is a Choice 127
Notes 131
Acknowledgments 133
Suggested Readings 137
About the Authors 141