Summary and Review of The Leadership Challenge (Fourth Edition) by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner

Executive Summary

The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership:

            Model the Way. Leaders model the way for their constituents.  To successfully illustrate the performance expected of others, a leader must first have guiding principles to follow.   A leader must clarify values.    This means opening up about values from within as well as values of the organization.  Knowing what you, as a leader will help you align your values with the company.  It will be easier for you to communicate those values with your constituents because when you speak you are also representing your company.  A person must “walk the talk” this is setting the example by going first.  Going first is exhibiting importance of things through taking actions.  It’s about “the power of spending time with someone, of working side by side with colleagues, of telling stories that make values come alive, of being highly visible during times of uncertainty, and of asking question to get people to think about values and priorities.” 

            Inspire a Shared Vision. Leaders inspire a shared vision.  Leaders have to see beyond today and look ahead for future possibilities.  They envision the future. But visions alone do not create successes.  Someone without followers is not a leader.  A leader must inspire a movement concurrent with the vision.   Leaders must gain commitment to an inspired vision not compliance.  They have to enlist others.  To do this, leaders must gain certain knowledge about their constituents such as people’s dreams, hopes, aspirations, visions, and values.  “Leadership is a dialogue, not a monologue.” People must trust that their leaders do have their interests at heart.  This vision should be shared with everyone and by everyone.  It should be talked about in detail.  Share the “whys”.  People need to know why they should follow you and your vision.

            Challenge the Process.  No process is set in stone.  Each process can enhance with a new perspective.  All leaders should challenge the process. Look for ways to innovate, grow, and improve.  Listening to people in and around the organization will more than likely give opportunities for innovation.  Most leaders are not the “inventors as much as they are the early patrons and adopters of innovation”.  With innovation comes change involving experiments and taking risks.  Paying attention to the abilities of constituents to manage change is important to create a safe environment for taking those risks.  “Try, fail, learn. Try, fail, learn.  Try, fail, learn. Leaders learn from their mistakes and encourage others to do the same.