The Leadership Challenge
mostly from Changing Minds 2/16 but significantly enhanced by Peter/CXO Wiz4biz
The 25th Anniversary Edition of this best-selling business classic, revised & updated. For more than 25 years, “The Leadership Challenge” has been the most trusted source on becoming a better leader, selling more than 2 million copies in over 20 languages since its first publication.
The Authors, Jim Kouzes, executive fellow of leadership at Santa Clara University + chairman and CEO of TPG Learning Systems, and Barry Posner, former dean & professor of leadership at Santa Clara University, are frequent keynote speakers at leadership conferences and also run a series of leadership development programs.
New & Improved. This edition of the work has been updated, to reflect changes in the modern workplace and contains over 100 new case studies & anecdotes as well as more international & business examples than the original.
1. It began with a Survey. The Authors developed a survey (The Leadership Practices Inventory) that asked people which, of a list of common characteristics of leaders, were, in their experiences of being led by others, the 7 top things they look for, admire and would willingly follow. Over 20 years, they managed ask this of 75,000 people.
The results of the study showed that people preferred the following characteristics, in this order:
1) Honest, 2) Forward-looking, 3) Competent, 4) Inspiring, 5) Intelligent, 6) Fair-minded, 7) Broad-minded, 8) Supportive, 9) Straightforward, 10) Dependable, 11) Cooperative, 12) Determined, 13) Imaginative, 14) Ambitious, 15) Courageous, 16) Caring, 17) Mature, 18) Loyal, 19) Self-controlled, 20) Independent
The main part of the book discusses the five actions that the Authors identify as being key for successful leadership:
2. Model the Way. Modeling means going first, living the behaviors you want others to adopt. This is leading from the front. People will believe not what they hear leaders “say”, but what they see leader consistently “do”.
3. Inspire a Shared Vision. People are motivated most – not by fear or reward – but by ideas that capture their imagination. Note that this is not so much about having a vision, but communicating it so effectively, that others take it as their own.
4. Challenge the Process. Leaders thrive on & learn from adversity & difficult situations. They are “early adopters” of innovation – on the cutting edge.
5. Enable others to Act. Encouragement & challenge is not enough. People must feel “enabled” to act and then must have the ability to put their ideas into action from the authority they have.
6. Encourage the Heart. People act best when they are passionate about what they are doing. Leaders unleash the enthusiasm of their followers thru praise & recognition + stories about their own passions & triumphs.
Quotes from “The Leadership Challenge.”
“Exemplary leaders know that if they want to gain commitment & achieve the highest standards, they must be models of the behavior they expect of others.”
“Leading by example is more effective than leading by command.”
“If you want to have a significant impact on people, on organizations, and on communities, you’d be wise to invest in learning the behaviors that enable you to become the very best leader you can.”
“Show your trust in others, in order to build their trust in you.”
“When leaders are doing their best, they Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act, & Encourage their Passion.”
Comments: Is there any principles you could add about being a great Leader?