The Leadership Challenge: How to Make Extraordinary Things Happen in Organizations [Hardcover]

James M. Kouzes (Author), Barry Z. Posner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 31, 2012

The 25th anniversary edition of the bestselling business classic, completely revised and 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. Based on Kouzes and Posner's extensive research, this all-new edition casts their enduring work in context for today's world, proving how leadership is a relationship that must be nurtured, and most importantly, that it can be learned.

• Features over 100 all-new case studies and examples, which show The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership in action around the world
• Focuses on the toughest organizational challenges leaders face today
• Addresses changes in how people work and what people want from their work

An indispensable resource for leaders at all levels, this anniversary edition is a landmark update and must-read.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

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Featured Guest Review by Marshall Goldsmith

Marshall Goldsmith has been recognized by almost every major business publication as one of America's leading executive educators and coaches. He is the author or co-editor of more than 32 books, including the New York Times best sellers What Got You Here Won't Get You There and Mojo.

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Twenty-five years after the first edition was published, The Leadership Challenge by Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner is still my choice for the best research-based book ever written in the field of leadership. It is a classic, and I recommend it to all of my clients.

The Leadership Challenge is written for real leaders, who today face some of the toughest organizational challenges we've ever encountered. And, it provides practical, real-world advice based on Jim's and Barry's extensive global research that is indispensable for leaders at all levels.

I always refer leaders to this book, because although my Ph.D. is in Organizational Behavior, my undergraduate background is in mathematics. And, I respect people who gather real facts! In developing the Leadership Practices Inventory, which is possibly the world's most widely respected tool for 360° leadership feedback, Jim and Barry have thoroughly reviewed input from tens of thousands of respondents. They've then used this data to form sound conclusions about what works--and what doesn't work--in terms of leadership behavior.

The central theme of The Leadership Challenge is that leadership is for everyone. It can be learned, but, let's face it, it's not easy. The Leadership Challenge is based upon learnings from leaders at all levels--and shows how "regular people" can make a huge, positive difference in their organizations. It is written in a way that can help executives, mid-managers, first-line supervisors, project leaders--and even individual contributors--better understand how they can lead and immediately apply what they have learned in their work.

For example, Jim and Barry asked managers about their clarity around their personal values as well as around the values of their organizations. These managers were also asked about their level of commitment to the organization, their level of motivation and productivity, job satisfaction, and so on. To me, what they found is fascinating! Leaders with the highest levels of commitment are those who are clearest about their own personal values. Clarity about personal values was more prevalent in a positive workplace attitude and level of engagement than was clarity around organizational values. In doing the research for my recent book, Mojo, I found something similar to be true as well: People who find happiness and meaning at home are more likely to also find happiness and meaning at work.

Finally, for those of you reading this book now, I'd highly recommend that you put what you read here into practice. This book can help you lead in such a way that your organization will become a better place for you, your managers, employees, and colleagues-to-be. At the same time, if you implement what you learn here, you'll make a positive difference in not only your organization, but also in your own life and in the lives of those whom you lead.

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Review

'One of the most trusted sources on leadership techniques since its first publication 25 years ago.' (European CEO, 1st August 2012) '...If you're forward-looking enough to be serious about yourself as a competent leader, you need this book' (Supply Management, December 2012) '...now in its fifth edition -- and rightly so. The book presents the issues of leadership in an easy-to-digest manner, debunking the myth that leadership is some entity that people have or don't have' (Professional Manager, March 2013)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 5 edition (July 31, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470651725
• ISBN-13: 978-0470651728
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 1.3 x 9.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #799 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #34 in Books > Business & Investing > Management & Leadership > Leadership
  • #94 in Books > Professional & Technical > Business Management

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A book for everyday leaders August 2, 2012

By Book Mark

Format:Hardcover

A great strength of this book is that it makes it very clear that it is designed for all people in leadership positions. The book came out of a research project, and the way the authors about it reveals a lot about its intent. Instead of interviewing top leaders in the business world, the authors interviewed ordinary leaders, but asked them about their peak leadership experiences. When were they at their best? The authors came up with these 5 cardinal rules of leadership:

1. Model the Way. Know your values, but also affirm the shared values of the group. Set the example by aligning actions with shared values.

2. Inspire a Shared Vision. Envision the future by imagining exciting and ennobling possibilities. Enlist others in a common vision by appealing to shared aspirations.

3. Challenge the Process. Search for opportunities by seizing the initiative and by looking outward for innovative ways to improve. Constantly generate small wins and learn from experience.

4. Enable Others to Act. Foster collaboration. Strengthen others by increasing self-determination and developing competence.

5. Encourage the Heart. Recognize contributions by showing appreciation for individual excellence. Celebrate the values and victories by creating a spirit of community.

This is a book for the ordinary leader, who dreams of extraordinary things. The idea that comes through all the way is that leadership is not just about your position or your company's status. Being a leader is about "relationships, credibility, and what you do." Highly recommended for anyone in leadership positions -- maybe even especially those NOT at the top of the totem pole.

I really hope you found this review helpful.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Callenge Yourself November 5, 2012

By Nolan Vandewerker

Format:Hardcover

This is a very in-depth book that challenges leaders to mobilize their people to get extraordinary things done in their organizations. The content is very digestible, intuitive, and compelling. It is called "The Leadership Challenge" for a reason: the chapters offer anecdotes and activities that challenge you to become the best leader you can be. They are quite good. Something as simple as, "Write Your Credo"--where it challenges you to write your own guiding principles as a leader--proved to be a valuable exercise for me.

I like leadership books that offer intuitive content and at the same time teach me to apply what I'm reading. Another book I recommend that does this incredibly well is Leadership 2.0

But I digress, here's a summary of what's in "The Leadership Challenge":

PART I. WHAT LEADERS DO AND WHAT CONSTITUENTS EXPECT

1. The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership:
1) Model the way
2) Inspire a shared vision
3) Challenge the process
4) Enable others to act
5) Encourage the heart

2. Credibility Is The Foundation of Leadership: For people to follow someone willingly, the majority of constituents believe the leader must be honest, forward-looking, inspiring, and competent.

PART II. MODEL THE WAY

3. Clarify Values: Find your voice and affirm shared values.

4. Set the Example: Personify the shared values and teach others to model these values.

PART III. INSPIRE A SHARED VISION

5. Envision the Future: Imagine the possibilities and find a common purpose.

6. Enlist Others: Appeal to common ideals and animate the vision.

Part IV. CHALLENGE THE PROCESS

7. Search For Opportunities: Seize the initiative and exercise outsight.

8. Experiment and Take Risks: Generate small wins and learn from experience.

Part V. ENABLE OTHERS TO ACT

9. Foster Collaboration: Create a climate of trust and facilitate relationships.

10. Strengthen Others: Enhance self-determination and develop competence and confidence.

PART VI. ENCOURAGE THE HEART

11. Recognize Contributions: Expect the best and Personalize recognition.

12. Celebrate the Values and Victories: Create a spirit of community and Be personally involved.

Part VII. 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 high purposes.
- Humility is the antidote to hubris.
- Leadership is in the moment.
- The best-kept secret of successful leaders is love: staying in love with leading, with the people who do the work, with what their organizations produce, and with those who honor the organization by using its products and services.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Top Guide For Leaders August 6, 2012

By S. Coats

Format:Hardcover

I have been working with and coaching aspiring leaders at all levels for 25 years. The Leadership Challenge is the key playbook and the 5th edition is another landmark. Kouzes and Posner simply refuse to recycle old material. This book is fresh, offering advice and proven guidance for attacking and resolving today's difficult leadership issues. Although based on extensive, solid research, It remains totally practical and applicable for everyone. I encourage people not just to read it, but to study it and use it on a regular basis. It is that good.