Based on the training program by the Tom Peters Group, a leadership handbook offers guidelines for business, government, education, and communities that are based upon the changing needs of today. 75,000 first printing. Tour.
The Leadership Challenge
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From Publishers Weekly
An inspirational and practical handbook, this expanded revision of a bestselling manual originally published in 1987 offers sound advice to corporate leaders and entrepreneurs, to managers and employees and to aspiring leaders in retail, manufacturing, government, community, church and school settings. Drawing on interviews and a questionnaire survey of more than 3000 leaders, the authors identify five fundamental practices of exemplary leadership: challenge the status quo; inspire a shared vision; enable others to act; model the way forward by setting an example; tap individuals' inner drives by linking rewards and performance. Kouzes, chairman and CEO of TPG/Learning Systems, and Posner, managing partner of Santa Clara University's Executive Development Center in California, write insightful, down-to-earth, jargon-free prose. This new edition has been substantially updated to reflect the challenges of shrinking work forces, rising cynicism and expanded telecommunications. An appendix includes the author's Leadership Practices Inventory, a tool for assessing leadership behavior. 75,000 first printing; Executive Program Book Club main selection; author tour.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
"At a time when words like 'inspiration' or 'spirit' are sometimes used with embarrassment, the authors restore those lofty concepts to their rightful place at the core of successful business.'' (Norman Lear, chairman and CEO, Act III Communications)
"A vital resource for all leaders and managers preparing themselves for the demands of 21st century leadership." (Kathryn E. Johnson, president and CEO, The Healthcare Forum)
"I not only enjoyed it... found myself constantly nodding and saying to myself, 'That's right! That's how it's done! That's what it feels like!' You certainly captured the essence of what I've found is at the heart of transforming leadership.'' (Robert Haas, chairman and CEO, Levi Strauss & Co.)
"The Leadership Challenge changed the direction of Motorola Semiconductor's World Marketing Organization." (Charles E. Thompson, senior vice president, director world marketing, Semiconductor Products Sector, Motorola Inc.)
"Kouzes and Posner demonstrate that when ordinary business people aspire to extraordinary achievements they can expand the realm of what's possible.'' (Kathy Meyer, executive director, The Business Enterprise Trust)
"The Leadership Challenge is a book that should be read and worked through by every member of every organization. It makes real and accessible the practices of leadership. If it is not in the workplace of all your people you are missing the plot." (David Clancy, manager, Culture Development, Westpac Banking Corporation)
"This book has heart. . . . I highly recommended The Leadership Challenge in 1987. I do so even more in 1995.'' (from the foreword by Tom Peters)
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Employees at Synergistic Systems, Inc. (SSI), located in Los Angeles's San Fernando Valley, have always known Jean Campbell, founder and CEO, to be positive, organized, enthusiastics, personable, caring, and unflappable. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Employees at Synergistic Systems, Inc. (SSI), located in Los Angeles's San Fernando Valley, have always known Jean Campbell, founder and CEO, to be positive, organized, enthusiastics, personable, caring, and unflappable. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I recently re-read this brilliant book before proceeding to Kouzes and Posner's more recently published Encouraging the Heart. I highly recommend both and suggest that they be read in the order in which they were written. Those of us who presume to review books such as this one can merely indicate their breadth and depth of substance as well as their stimulation of thought about the material presented. For example, Kouzes and Posner identify what they call "five leadership practices common to successful leaders" and then suggest ten "behavioral commitments" among those leaders studied. Here they are:
Practice: Challenge the process
Commitments: (1) Search for opportunities and (2) Experiment and take risks
Practice: Inspire a shared vision
Commitments: (3) Envision the future and (4) Enlist others
Practice: Enable others to act
Commitments: (5) Foster collaboration and (6) Strengthen others
Practice: Model the way to the desired objectives
Commitments: (7) Set the example and (8) Plan small wins
Practice: Encourage the heart of everyone involved
Commitments: (9) Recognize individual contribution and (10) Celebrate accomplishments
Those who conduct "360 Feedback" programs could do much worse than to base evaluations on criteria suggested by these practices and commitments. They provide the thematic infrastructure of the material which Kouzes and Posner present within seven Parts. The first introduces key concepts and terms: "Knowing What Leadership Is Really All About." Each of Parts Two-Six is devoted to one of the five Practices. Kouzes and Posner conclude with Part Seven, "The Beginning of Leadership', followed by two appendices which enable the reader to complete "The Personal Best Questionnaire" before reviewing "The Leadership Practices Inventory."
There are dozens of outstanding books on leadership and this is one of the best. I am especially impressed by the balance Kouzes and Posner maintain throughout between theory and practice. More specifically, they introduce and explain various core concepts and then draw upon real-world situations to illustrate those concepts. Obviously, "Encouraging the Heart" (Part Six) introduces ideas which Pouzes and Posner develop in much greater depth in a sequel volume which bears the same name. They conclude this book as follows: "We have said that leaders take us to places we have never been before. But there are no freeways to the future, no paved highways to unknown, unexplored destinations. There is only wilderness. If you are to step into the unknown, the place to begin is with the exploration of the inner territory." Those who agree (as do I) with these final remarks are urged to check out David Maister's Practice What You Preach, Tim Sanders' Love Is the Killer App, David Whyte's The Heart Aroused, and Larry Davis' Pioneering Organizations.
Format:Paperback
James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner clearly articulate the "Leadership Challenge" around ten commitments. They sub-divide these ten commitments into five practices: Challenging the process, inspiring a shared vision, enabling others to act, modeling the way and encouraging the heart. Kouzes and Posner illustrate each of these practices with a wide variety of examples that give life to leadership. To their credit, Kouzes and Posner refrain from using jargon that makes their analysis of leadership, its rewards and pitfalls a very enjoyable read that is easily accessible to a wide audience. "The leadership Challenge" is ultimately a quest of self-discovery that helps its readers better know themselves and improve their leadership skills in thought and action.
Format:Paperback
James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner clearly articulate the "Leadership Challenge" around ten commitments. They sub-divide these ten commitments into five practices: Challenging the process, inspiring a shared vision, enabling others to act, modeling the way and encouraging the heart. Kouzes and Posner illustrate each of these practices with a wide variety of examples that give life to leadership. To their credit, Kouzes and Posner refrain from using jargon that makes their analysis of leadership, its rewards and pitfalls a very enjoyable read that is easily accessible to a wide audience. "The leadership Challenge" is ultimately a quest of self-discovery that helps its readers better know themselves and improve their leadership skills in action.
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4.5 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
One Of The Two Books That Should Be Required Reading
This is not your typical leadership book that reads like a biography. Although it provides many personal leadership anecdotes (the "meat"), it is more an outline of... Read more
Published on Feb 4 2002 by N.C.
3.0 out of 5 stars
Students of Leadership
SO MUCH TO SAY SO LITTLE SPACE
Let's see if I am able to keep it short.
All too frequently books on the subject of leadership tend to be in the first person and read more like... Read more
Published on Jan 12 2002 by George T ONeil, III
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Ten Commitments of Leadership
"Think of the Leadership Challenge as a field guide to take along on your leadership journey." James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Read more
Published on Dec 24 2001 by Turgay BUGDACIGIL
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Course In Leadership
One of the well written "how to" books on leadership. Great practical insights for pro and novice alike. Read more
Published on Nov 30 2001 by John B.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Course In Leadership
One of the well written "how to" books on leadership. Great practical insights for pro and novice alike. Read more
Published on Nov 30 2001 by John B.
5.0 out of 5 stars
In the pursuit of excellence in leadership!
This is an incredible book from an incredible team. I have heard Kouzes in person. He is dynamic. The book is even more powerful because it goes in depth about the 5 key... Read more
Published on Nov 10 2001 by Anne Marie Martin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Packed With Knowledge!
James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner's remarkable guide debunks the myth of the leader as a maverick rather than a team player. Read more
Published on Nov 7 2001 by Rolf Dobelli
5.0 out of 5 stars
LEADERSHIP DAY
Sunday, 1st of October 2000 was a cloudy day and it was drizzling outside. The weather was pleasant. I was alone. My entire family was out of station. Read more
Published on Sep 4 2001 by swaminathan U
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Leadership Challenge: the hardest form of management
For the past five years The Leadership Challenge has been required reading for many students getting an MBA degree, and for good reason. First, the book is highly readable. Read more
Published on Aug 17 2001 by Russell Fanelli
5.0 out of 5 stars
Re-read for new inspiration ...
From Tom Peter's, "In Search of Excellence" through this title and others, this group knows management and leadership. Read more
Published on April 2 2001 by Bernadette A. Moyer
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