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.

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