The Leadership Challenge

The latest edition of the gold-standard guide for leadership development In the new seventh edition of The Leadership Challenge: How to Make Extraordinary Things Happen in Organizations, best-selling leadership authors and business scholars James Kouzes and Barry Posner deliver an essential strategic playbook for effective leadership. The book's actionable advice is grounded in robust research and deep insights into the complex interpersonal dynamics of the workplace. Premier authorities in the field, the authors frame leadership as both a skill to be learned and as a relationship to be nurtured. They demonstrate how to achieve extraordinary results in the face of contemporary business challenges with engaging stories, current case studies, and straightforward frameworks for those who seek continuous, incremental improvement. The book also offers: * Incisive commentary on the shift toward team-oriented and hybrid work relationships * Key insights into how to break through a new and pervasive level of cynicism amongst the modern workforce * Strategies for leveraging the electronic global village to deliver better results within your team, in your department, and across your organization Perfect for every practicing and aspiring leader who wants to stay current, relevant, and effective in a rapidly evolving business environment, The Leadership Challenge will help you remain impactful and capable of inspiring and motivating your constituents at every level.

JAMES KOUZES is a fellow at the Doerr Institute for New Leaders at Rice University and formerly the Dean's Executive Fellow of Leadership, Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University. BARRY POSNER holds the Michael J. Accolti, S.J., Chair at Santa Clara University and is Professor of Leadership with the Leavey School of Business. He is Chair of the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship and previously served as Associate Dean for Graduate Programs, as well as Executive Education, and as Dean of the Leavey School.

Introduction xv 1 When Leaders Are at Their Best 1 The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership The Five Practices Make a Difference Leadership Is a Relationship Putting It All Together: Credibility Is the Foundation Practice 1 Model the Way 29 2 Clarify Values 31 Find Your Voice Affirm Shared Values 3 Set the Example 59 Live the Shared Values Teach Others to Model the Values Practice 2 Inspire a Shared Vision 85 4 Envision the Future 87 Imagine the Possibilities Identify a Common Purpose 5 Enlist Others 111 Appeal to Common Ideals Animate the Vision Practice 3 Challenge the Process 137 6 Search for Opportunities 139 Seize the Initiative Exercise Outsight 7 Experiment and Take Risks 165 Generate Small Wins Learn from Experience Practice 4 Enable Others to Act 191 8 Foster Collaboration 193 Create a Climate of Trust Facilitate Relationships 9 Strengthen Others 219 Enhance Self-Determination Develop Competence and Confidence Practice 5 Encourage the Heart 247 10 Recognize Contributions 249 Expect the Best Personalize Recognition 11 Celebrate the Values and Victories 275 Create a Spirit of Community Be Personally Involved 12 Treat Challenge as an Opportunity 303 Your Leadership Matters Liberate the Leader Within Everyone Everyone Can Learn to Lead Become Your Best Self You Won't Always Get It Right Make Becoming a Better Leader a Daily Habit Remember the Secret to Success in Life Endnotes 325 Acknowledgments 367 About the Authors 371 Index 375