Book Review
The Leadership Challenge
By James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner
I once
heard John Maxwell, author of The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership,
state that The Leadership Challenge was one of the Top Five Leadership
books of all time. Given the thousands of leadership books on the
market, that's a pretty significant assertion ... but I think he's right!
"The first edition was
seminal and totally original. It became a modern classic on leadership
practically overnight. With this new edition, with new cases and
concepts and action steps that are even riper and more important, Kouzes and
Posner go way beyond their earlier work and have made yet another brilliant
contribution to leadership studies. This new book is essential reading
for everyone involved or concerned with leading."
- Warren Bennis,
distinguished professor of business administration, University of
Southern California
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With every leadership book
comes a different leadership model.
Kouzes and Posner have developed one of the best. Here's an outline of the
five part model with associated commitments:
Model the Way
- Find your voice by clarifying your personal values.
- Set the example aligning actions with shared values.
Inspire a Shared Vision
- Envision the future by imagining exciting and ennobling possibilities.
- Enlist others in a common vision by appealing to shared aspirations.
Challenge the Process
- Search for opportunities by seeking innovative ways to change, grow, and
improve.
- Experiment and take risks by constantly generating small wins and
learning from mistakes.
Enable Others to Act
- Foster collaboration by promoting cooperative goals and building trust.
- Strengthen others by sharing power and discretion.
Encourage the Heart
- Recognize contributions by showing appreciation for individual
excellence.
- Celebrate the values and victories by creating a spirit of community.
"From the ten
commitments of leadership to the emphasis on actions and relationships, this
valuable book is full of enduring wisdom and practical insights essential for
success in challenging times."
- Rosabeth Moss Kanter, Harvard
Business School
Back to GL Gems - "Must Reads" for
Your Leadership Library
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