James M. Kouzes | Barry Z. Posner
1 Real How-To Information
This book has been around in various editions for almost twenty years now. One reason for that is that it is an excellent overview of leadership in organizations and how you can do it yourself.
The book's structure follows its basic recommendations. The authors recommend five fundamental practices, each of which has two commandments, for a total of ten. In general, these are both straightforward and insightful. "Challenge the Process" talks about searching for opportunities, experimenting, and taking risks. "Modeling the Way" talks about setting the example and planning small wins. There is also material on "Enabling Others to Act."
Then there are a couple of weaker sections. Sections on inspiring and encouraging simply are too fluffy and lack the support that is given to other points.
Even having said that, this is a book that's worth reading if you are responsible for leadership in an organization of any size. The reason is the way the book came together.
The authors used two different kinds of research to develop their recommendations. They looked at over five hundred leaders, but they looked at them in a particular way.
In each case, they had asked the leader to talk about his or her actions as a leader when they were doing excellent work. In other words, they looked for excellent examples of leadership and tried to draw lessons from them.
They also went to the other side and talked to followers about what they wanted in leaders. When they put those two kinds of research together, you get recommendations that are both practical and, for the most part, behavioral.
Warren Bennis' recent book, Geeks and Geezers, is an excellent companion for this book. In that book, Bennis talks about crucibles of leadership or experiences, which provide intense stress and learning of leadership that form leadership values.
On the plus side this is good, practical, behavioral and helpful if you're responsible for a group of any kind or size. On the downside, some of the language can be fuzzy and simplistic, and some of the concepts, like "Encourage the Heart" sounds just a tad too New Age for my taste.
2 One of the best books on Leadership out there
The Leadership Challenge by Kouzes and Posner remains one of the best leadership books in circulation today. The one thing that I love about all of Kouzes and Posner's books is that the principles that they espouse can be broken down into a number of practices and are thus made easier to remember. For instance, in this book, the Leadership Challenge I remember the five practices of leadership through the Acronym MICEE as in (1) Model the Way (2) Inspire a Shared Vision (3) Challenge the Process (4) Enable others to act and (5) Encourage the heart.
These are practical principles that all leaders can live by. If you don't have it, get it, you won't regret it.
3 Killer book...
VERY good leadership book. Used it at my company to apply new procedures.
4 Leadership Formula
First published in 1987, The Leadership Challenge, turns out to be the most useful and well-read book in my extensive management library. It does not have the sycophantic following of say, The 7 Habits, but it does adorn the library of many of our best leaders today. Although the book has evolved over the last decade into a how-to book (with planning guide), it remains one of the most authoritative books on the real qualities and characteristics of leadership.
The substance of most management books can be written in a sentence or two. Not with this important work. Barry Posner and James Kouzes have something of value to say in every chapter. If you like stats and backup, they have that too!
The authors outline the five practices of effective leadership: Model the way, inspire a shared vision, challenge the process, enable others to act, and encourage the heart. This is a winning formula. I know I've tried it. The essence of their message can be found very early in the book: "...For people to follow someone willingly" the leader must demonstrate honesty, vision, competence, and inspiration. That's easier said than done, but it is well said. If you want to lead, read this book.
5 A wonderful thesis on the leadership practices
This is a book about bringing out the best in oneself and in the other people. A must read for anyone trying to achieve self-fulfillment and improve their impact on the world.
Most other books on this topic talk about well-known personalities, but this one focuses on the underlying leadership practices using examples of ordinary people as the leaders, in turn emphasizing that each one of us can choose to become a leader. Some books are for a sail-through reading while others are for digesting. "The Leadership Challenge" requires slow chewing and a deliberate assimilation of the teachings and research presented, for the new learnings to become an acquired habit or a second nature. My top-most learning is that leadership is not a place or a peak to be conquered, but rather a skill with which the journey through one's life can become far more fulfilling. The Leadership practices as presented are independent of one's position in an organization, and can be exercised at all levels.
It is about interactions, relationships and what one does to inspire others for uplifting their performance and efficiency. Similarly, it talks about practicing leadership skills in one's own personal life by credible communications, setting standards and expectations, and following fair means to achieve these. Leadership is indeed everyone's business, to seek continuous improvements and not become stagnant in one's life.
"The Leadership Challenge" book stands apart from others by giving examples of ordinary people who overcame their own adverse circumstances to make a differences to others around them. If everyone learns and practices the art of Leadership as presented, it will provide an inner fulfillment by realizing one's own full potential while improving the overall state of affairs in the world.
6 "Unequivocally superior book on leadership"
As other reviewers have commented; there is a ton of information in this book. I will add; tons of fantastic information! This is a book I have been reading sporadically for the past nine months. Why have I taken so long to read it? I will read it for a while, put it aside, read another book, then return to this one. It is profound. The only book on leadership better than this (maybe): Principle Centered Leadership.
The copy I read was the first edition. I've skimmed through this edition and found that the authors have added websites and other informative stuff to keep it up to date.
Each time I've returned to this book I wonder: why did I ever put it down? If you are a manager or an aspiring leader, like me...Read this one. You'll be glad you did. I know for a fact, this book is required reading for certain business majors.
7 The foundation for all the others
I know that it's a cliche to call anything other than the Bible, a "Bible," but this is The Leadership Bible, nonetheless. If this is not in your library and a large part of your leadership journey, you are way way way behind the curve. Kouzes and Posner have been conducting some of the most significant leadership reasearch on the planet for over 20 years--and you'll find all that accumulated wisdom in this book.
8 Too Long to Remember
Kouzes and Posner offer wonderful information but way, way too much of it. They should rewrite this book, chapter by chapter, making each chapter one book. I recently read "To Lead is to Empower" by Shar McBee, where she presents profound and useful information about leadership in a way that busy executives like me can use. Truth is simple.
9 Concepts that have stood the test of time
I am the CEO of a Fortune 500 company who read the original version of this book in the late 1980's. As the five criteria for leadership success discussed in this book, namely -- model the way, inspire a shared vision, challenge the process, enable others to act, and encourage the heart -- have stood the test of decades of exploration and execution, the subtleties explored in this new edition are a welcome addition to my library of leadership books. I strongly recommend this book and additionally, wholeheartedly recommend Optimal Thinking: How to Be Your Best Self as a superlative universal resource for leadership and corporate optimization.
10 a lot of good information
"The leadership Challenge hits the top ten book category for leaders and managers at all levels. I continually use it with leaders and organizations in multiple countries"
- Bruce McNicol
Having read other leadership books, I disagree with the above statement. This book is pretty good, and do I like it for the work that has been put into this book. I think its for somebody who never read any other leadership books. But to say that its good for all level is wrong. This books attempts to tackle all kinds of issues. Starting from the basic foundation of trust.
He talks bout finding your value, sharing them, envision the future, and enlist others, blah blah. Not good for all levels, but perfect for beginning leaders.
CASE FOR: They cover a lot of important information missed in some other books. The leadership Challenge tackles some personal issues, which is very important. This is a very useful book; it's based on principles, and not on some philosophy/theory.
CASE AGAINST: 458 pages, I found myself skipping through pages. Something that could/should have been said in one sentence, was said in one page. Too many stories...
11 A superbly recrafted tome!
The Leadership Challenge has been one of the "standard" texts for students of leadership in both business and academia since its First Edition arrival in 1987. The Third Edition is a totally new piece of work, building on the past, but, not surprisingly, with a unique perspective. Instead of just repackaging and updating references and stories, Kouzes and Posner have recrafted their work, incorporating new knowledge, providing a voice for a new generation of leaders, and at the same time validating their original and continuing research.
Noting that the content of leadership has not changed while the context has changed dramatically, they have re-ordered the five practices of exemplary leadership, moving from a descriptive to a prescriptive telling of the leadership tale. This is truly a "field guide for leaders" to help steer a journey of individual and organizational transformation.
Students have responded most positively, citing the grounded nature of the work, its readibility, and its challenge to see leadership development as personal development. Studying theories, exploring models, applying processes and looking at leadership only from the outside in isn't enough to comprehend what leadership is. Kouzes and Posner pull it all together, and richly articulate the need for self-knowledge and self-development as fundamental to what leadership can be.
If you've only got time to read one leadership book, this should be it. If you have already read either the First or the Second Edition (or both!), you will find the Third Edition to be familiar, but also totally new. The Leadership Challenge has withstood the test of time and now fuels unparalleled possibilities for the future.
As Jim Kouzes always says, "love 'em and lead 'em." About this book: "read it and love it." You owe it to yourself.
12 A superbly recrafted tome!
The Leadership Challenge has been one of the "standard" texts for students of leadership in both business and academia since its First Edition arrival in 1987. The Third Edition is a totally new piece of work, building on the past, but, not surprisingly, with a unique perspective. Instead of just repackaging and updating references and stories, Kouzes and Posner have recrafted their work, incorporating new knowledge, providing a voice for a new generation of leaders, and at the same time validating their original and continuing research.
Noting that the content of leadership has not changed while the context has changed dramatically, they have re-ordered the five practices of exemplary leadership, moving from a descriptive to a prescriptive telling of the leadership tale. This is truly a "field guide for leaders" to help steer a journey of individual and organizational transformation.
Students have responded most positively, citing the grounded nature of the work, its readibility, and its challenge to see leadership development as personal development. Studying theories, exploring models, applying processes and looking at leadership only from the outside in isn't enough to comprehend what leadership is. Kouzes and Posner pull it all together, and richly articulate the need for self-knowledge and self-development as fundamental to what leadership can be.
If you've only got time to read one leadership book, this should be it. If you have already read either the First or the Second Edition (or both!), you will find the Third Edition to be familiar, but also totally new. The Leadership Challenge has withstood the test of time and now fuels unparalleled possibilities for the future.
As Jim Kouzes always says, "love 'em and lead 'em." About this book: "read it and love it." You owe it to yourself.
13 Leadership Education
I just finished this book and wanted to pass on my opinion while the iron is hot and before I go on to another book on leadership. "The Leadership Challenge" is an outline of the practical basics of what has come to be called "leadership". While I think the authors did a fine job of imparting the messages for which the book was intended, they did not (like all the other how-to books on leadership) get their arms around understanding just exactly what leadership actually is. The terms "leader" and "leadership" have come to be slippery and lightly used in our society. But, in all honesty, I think that dealing with understanding leadership is slightly beyond the purposes for which this book was intended, and, for its intended purposes, I highly recommend this book.
(I also recommend "West Point: Character Leadership.." by Remick, if you want to get your arms around what "leadership" is)
14 Leadership Education
I just finished this book and wanted to pass on my opinion while the iron is hot and before I go on to another book on leadership. "The Leadership Challenge" is an outline of the practical basics of what has come to be called "leadership". While I think the authors did a fine job of imparting the messages for which the book was intended, they did not (like all the other how-to books on leadership) get their arms around understanding just exactly what leadership actually is. The terms "leader" and "leadership" have come to be slippery and lightly used in our society. But, in all honesty, I think that dealing with understanding leadership is slightly beyond the purposes for which this book was intended, and, for its intended purposes, I highly recommend this book.
(I also recommend "West Point: Character Leadership.." by Remick, if you want to get your arms around what "leadership" is)
15 A Must Read for Leaders And For Those Who Aspire To Lead
This is an outstanding book and should be required reading for anyone who manages people or who is getting started in their career and will manage in the future. In addition to providing terrific insights into the art and science of leadership, the book serves as an excellent roadmap for those who want to improve their leadership skills and that of their management team. In addition to their extensive research and powerful discussions on what makes great leaders, the book is an absolute delight to read. Kouzes and Posner's command of the language and easy readability, along with their very relevant case studies and analyses, can help all of us improve our leadership skills and develop more effective organizations.
16 The Beauty of Leadership In Action
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.
17 The Leadership Challenge, 3rd Edition
This book was used in my Master's program Leadership Class, and it is excellent! Very practical applications of leadership skills, interesting antedotal lessons and easy reading text. Would recommend this book to anyone intested in improving their leadership abilities. Better than any other "leadership" books I have read.
18 Guidelines and Parameters for the Perilous Journey Within
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.
19 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 leadership basics (the "carcass"). It is a book that everyone in a position of leadership could do well with. And, for an easy education on the philosophical framework (the "skeletal structure") that supports all leadership practices, read the book "West Point" by Norman Thomas Remick. That rounds out your knowledge (the whole "body") of leadership. If I had my way, both of these books would be required reading for every student in leadership and management.
20 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 self-help books. Kouzes and Posner, base a number of their observations upon hard analysis or the analysis/study conducted by others. The endnotes and references could offer students of "Leadership" a roadmap to further study and discovery.
The case studies taken from interviews and seminars offered by the authors provide a "true-to-life" feel to the text, which helps distinguish it from the many, many, others that write on the subject. The authors have some experience as leaders, though rather than summarize personal experience, the reader is taken on a journey of discovery with the story of leadership being told by others. The authors are really more like guides than writers.
Thankfully we are provided a framework by which to measure leaders. "The ten traits...., or the "five characteristics....., help the student of the subject record in a systematic way the behaviors associated with leadership. That perennial question faced by all students is once again explored, albeit through the authors' eyes, "Are leaders made through dint of strife and the crucible of fire or are they born full blown as natural creatures rare and beautiful?"
Many books on this subject would be better listed under "Biography" rather than Leadership. All too frequently we encounter a recital of individual accomplishment over adversity or even success upon success. That is not the case here. This text could serve as the foundation to a course of study as it provides the "carcass" or "foundation" for a course of study. The instructor need only add antidotes, personal experience, current events and a case study or two and the "adventure" would be complete.
GTO
21 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. Posner write, "We've designed it to describe what leaders do, explain the fundamental principles that support these leadership practices, provide actual case examples of real people who demonstrate each practice, and offer specific recommendations on what you can do to make these practices your own and to continue your development as a leader...As we looked deeper into the dynamic process of leadership, through case analyses and survey questionnaires, we uncovered five fundamental practices that enable leaders to get extraordinary things done. The individual stories of how ordinary people got extraordinary things done brought the leadership model to life for us, giving it character and color. When they were at their personal best, the leaders we studied were able to challenge the process, inspire a shared vision, enable others to act, model the way, ana encourage the heart. These practices aren't the private property of the people we studied or of a few select shining stars. They've stood the test of time, and they're available to anyone, in any organization or situation, who accepts the leadership challenge."
In this context, Kouzes and Posner say that embedded in the five fundamental practices of exemplary leadership are beheviors that can serve as the basis of learning to lead. And they call these behaviors as the Ten Commitments of Leadership. According to them these ten commitments serve as the guide for their discussion of how leaders get extraordinary things done in organizations and as the structure for what's to follow. Each of these commitments are fully explored in Chapters 3 through 12.
Practice I- Challenging the Process
Commitment 1. Search out challenging opportunities to change, grow, innovate and improve.
Commitment 2. Experiment, take risks, and learn from the accompanying mistakes.
Practice II- Inspiring a Shared Vision
Commitment 3. Envision an uplifting and ennobling future.
Commitment 4. Enlist others in a common vision by appealing to their values, interests, hopes, and dreams.
Practice III- Enabling Others to Act
Commitment 5. Foster collaboration by promoting cooperative goals and building trust.
Commitment 6. Strengthen people by giving power away, providing choice, developing competence, assigning critical tasks, and offering visible support.
Practice IV- Modeling the Way
Commitment 7. Set the example by behaving in ways that are consistent with shared values.
Commitment 8. Achieve small wins that promote consistent progress and build commitment.
Practice V- Encouraging the Heart
Commitment 9. Recognize individual contributions to the success of every project.
Commitment 10. Celebrate team accomplishments regularly.
I highly recommend this business classic on leadership.
22 A Course In Leadership
One of the well written "how to" books on leadership. Great practical insights for pro and novice alike. If you couple the practical approach of this book with the basic "philosophy of leadership" approach presented in the book "West Point" by Norman Thomas Remick, you will have the veritable home study course on leadership that can help catapult you to bigger and better things. I know "men" in the ranks who are going to stay in the ranks. Why? Simply because they havn't the ability to become leaders. Don't be one of those. Study "The Leadership Challenge".
23 A Course In Leadership
One of the well written "how to" books on leadership. Great practical insights for pro and novice alike. If you couple the practical approach of this book with the basic "philosophy of leadership" approach presented in the book "West Point" by Norman Thomas Remick, you will have the veritable home study course on leadership that can help catapult you to bigger and better things. I know "men" in the ranks who are going to stay in the ranks. Why? Simply because they havn't the ability to become leaders. Don't be one of those. Study "The Leadership Challenge".
24 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 principles in leadership. Anyone who has been dealt the task of taking an organization into the next century should and must incorporate the 5 qualities of leader in their everyday lives.
This is a powerful, life altering book.
25 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. It also tackles the image of the leader as a special breed. Indeed, the book's basic premise is that there are certain critical and identifiable skills that most anyone can learn and adopt in order to become an effective leader. The authors spell out these skill sets, and list the guiding principles that leaders should follow and represent to their organizations. The seminal book is a mile deep and a mile wide. We [...] recommend this excellent manual to all current and future leaders.
26 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. This was a very congenial atmosphere for reading. I thought of reading some book and I saw the book `Leadership Challenge' by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner on the table. I started reading the book.
I was sitting on the chair with the book and reading. Slowly I got up. I was standing and reading. Then I started walking and reading. I understood that I was very much excited and some kind of transformation started in me. Probably Buddha also experienced the same kind of transformation under the Bodhi tree.
The book started to challenge my style of leading. It made me feel the need to enhance my competence to greater heights as a leader. Having spent all my years in becoming an able leader, I understood the vacuums in my thinking. The book started educating me and enlighten me on my ignorance.
The book inspired and liberated the leader in me to form my `VISION'. The book modeled the way for me to act immediately and draw out an Action Plan. Exploration of self was initiated and I started climbing the leadership ladder.
I read the book for almost 12 hours without a break which I have never done before. The book started interacting with me by answering the points that sparkled in my mind and developing me. The book is so inspiring, educating, challenging, well structured and very very human.
I confess the book itself is a Leader.
Every year 1st October will be observed as Leadership Day by me and my team.
27 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. Kouzes and Posner write for real managers with serious leadership problems. They include many true stories or managers facing difficult challenges. For example, the Pat Carrigan story at the Lakewood Assembly Plant outside of Atlanta demonstrates that it is possible for management and labor to work effectively together if the leader is a person genuinely interested in people. Pat was smart enough to know that she didn't have all the answers. She turned to her rank-and-file employees for help and they responded more favorably than even she had expected. Pat broke down the barriers that typically had existed at General Motors, opened lines of communication, and helped people to take responsibility for their work. She treated her employees like adults and the good people she knew they were. Many other stories like Pat Carrigan's fill the pages of this book and these stories are an inspiration for on-the-job leaders or those aspiring for these positions.
Next, the book is filled with good ideas and suggestions for taking a leadership role in any organization. Challenging the Process, Inspiring a Shared Vision, Enabling Others to Act, Modeling the Way, and Encouraging the Heart provide a game plan for leaders to use to positively influence the behavior of others.
Typically, managers consider such stuff as Encouraging the Heart to be too "touchy feely" to be worth serious consideration. Kouzes and Posner demonstrate convincingly, I think, that such encouragement is not "soft soap," but the hardest reality on which integrity and trust are based. Without these attributes a manager is a "menace, unfit to manage" according to no less an authority than Peter Druker, the dean of management thinking and writing for the past forty years.
Finally, The Leadership Challenge is filled with suggestions for application. Leadership is a practice and anyone interested in becoming a leader must work each day at building leadership skill. Kouzes and Posner ask readers to 1. Pay attention, really pay attention to what is going on in their organization. 2. Take risks that separate them from the play it safe folks who consider hiding the safest form of management. 3. Seek feedback. As Ken Blanchard says, "Feedback is the breakfast of champions." Kouzes and Posner encourage the reader to talk across boundaries -- Pat Carrigan was a perfect example of this. 4. Accept responsibility. Harry Truman seemed like such an ordinary man, but when leadership presented itself to him, he accepted full responsiblity for his actions and became a fine president.
Forty years ago David McClelland of Harvard espoused these ideas in his book, The Achieving Society, and provided evidence that people who act on these suggestions become effective leaders. Kouzes and Posner do not write like academics such as McClelland. They are popularizers, and good ones. Many of their ideas have stood the test of time and are worth learning and applying.
28 Re-read for new inspiration ...
From Tom Peter's, "In Search of Excellence" through this title and others, this group knows management and leadership. Facing new challenges in my professional life, I decided to re-read "The Leadership Challenge" and it was once again on target and all inspiring.
Positive feedback and respect as well as high expectations all lend to the best managers with the most loyal worker's. Nice to be reminded that leading with one's heart is not necessarily a negative thing.
Both times I have read this title, I found myself affirming what I know to be true. A must read for all management levels!
29 one of the very best leader books
Thanks to my coursework, I'm reading lots of books on leadership. I just finished this one which I'd rate the most helpful in terms of hands-on leadership of all the ones I've read so far (about 10). The style is easy to read and quick, and the points very direct, well-explained and easy to follow. Not only that, the content is CRUCIAL for any leader. It's only too easy to see from the examples they give how many seemingly easy things (like remembering to thank your co-workers and recognize their accomplishments) are NOT followed by current leaders. In case you every wondered to yourself, "But how would I do that?" enough examples are provided (very specific ones) that any leader could manage it if they WANTED to. What I liked about this book is that it recognized many facets of leadership that have been ignored like leading with your heart and not asking others to do what you yourself would not. It's not about having the nicest office -- it's about getting out on the factory floor and talking to those you lead. A terrific book both in theory and content. If you only read one, read this one.
30 Essential For Everyone in Leadership Positions!
Kouzes and Posner do a fantastic job defining and explaing the essential elements of leadership. This book is a useful tool for people of all ages, backgrounds and occupations and it serves as a guide to futher leadership experience and knowledge. The principles outlined in the chapters of this book are basic thoughts that can be used by anyone in everyday situations.I would reccommend this book to anyone who wants to develop their leadership abilities and experience personal growth in their everyday life.
31 Essential For Everyone in Leadership Positions!
Kouzes and Posner do a fantastic job defining and explaing the essential elements of leadership. This book is a useful tool for people of all ages, backgrounds and occupations and it serves as a guide to futher leadership experience and knowledge. The principles outlined in the chapters of this book are basic thoughts that can be used by anyone in everyday situations.I would reccommend this book to anyone who wants to develop their leadership abilities and experience personal growth in their everyday life.
32 Leaders of the future, Listen Up!!!
This book has changed my life and the way I interact with others at work and at home. Leadership is a tough challenge requiring skills that Posner and Kouzes explore. It's full of real life examples that are enriching and fascinating. Managers who want to improve thier leadership skills will benefit from this book.
Must read for anyone and everyone in a leadership position in any profession.
33 Great book on leadership!
This incredibly detailed book, and sometimes, lengthy is a great study on the concepts of leadership and management. One of the best I've read. If you're interested in leadership, this should be a book you take a look at.
I also highly recommend The Management Masters Series Corporate Culture if you liked this one.
34 GREAT!!!
probably the best book I've ever seen on leadership. The authors do a great job at differentiating leaders and managers. I highly recommend it to people who are interested in becoming leaders!!!
35 Best leadership study I've read yet! Outstanding!!
For leaders who have been in that vocation for some time, this book serves as a refresher, and perhaps the acknowledgment of the methods leaders choose. Focused on long-term organizational growth and health, it reminds one that short term gains are the province of managers, while leaders continually challenge and motivate people to achieve the extraordinary. For the new leader, this is an in-depth primer, broken down into chunks small enough to digest, but full of insight and inspiration. It is not a how-to book per se, but does outline a path towards better leadership, and challenges one to develop themselves with a purpose. I loved it! My copy is note-ridden, earmarked, annotated, and continually referred to for anecdotes and ideas. Buy a copy for every developing leader beneath you, and start a development plan for them all.
36 This book would have you believe in the tooth fairy
"The Prince" describes real leadership. The book talks about honesty as the number one trait we would like to see in leaders. But in reality, it is the person who can lie well that succedes. While the authors make you feel like you have the power to take on the universe, really the tools and traits they describe leads mainly to mediocrity.
37 Even the Acknowledgements are too long. Cliff Notes anywhere
I only wish Kouzes and Posner were constrained to 1000 words. That would have been totally sufficent to make the points they present. In an increasingly time limited business world, few have got the time to read 300+ pages of common sense and obvious facts. Read it if you have to (It was assigned by my MBA Prof.), but try and find someone else who has, they could sum up the substance in a few minutes.
38 Kouzes and Posner captured the essence of leadership.
The good news is that everyone can be a leader. Kouzes and Posner did a very good job of making the case that leadership is a set of learned practices, skills and behaviors. They provide a structure to what most people seeking to be leaders have tried to do intuitively or by modeling what they see from leaders they admire. The roadmap is there in the book for students of leadership or those who have been thrust into a position that requires not just management, but real inspired leadership to meet the challenge. Their characterization of leadership as a "performing art" is both descriptive and instructive. This is a great book for anyone aspiring to get extraordinary results from those they lead.
39 THE must have book for anyone's leadership library
The Leadership Challenge just makes sense. I was placed in a leadership position and discovered I didn't know how to be a leader or how to get anyone motivated. I started reading some leadership books that were too "techy" or too boring or full of impractical advice. Then I came across this book. It brought everything into focus. It is an easy to ready step-by-step practical guide on what leadership is and how to be an effective leader. The great thing about it is that this was thoroughly researched and actual cases studies are used to show how what is being taught is already being used sucessfully. Plain and simple, this is a plain and simple practical guide that anyone wanting to know what a leader is and how to be one needs to have. Period.
