management and leadership

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.

I read the original book a few years ago and found the information very inspirational. I was happy to see the updated printing has chapters on corporate downsizing and covered the loss of jobs due to increased technology in the workplace. Now more than ever companies have to work smarter with fewer employees and this book has the insight on getting that job done. I also recommend reading Rat Race Relaxer: Your Potential & The Maze of Life by JoAnna Carey a great week-by-week guide to motivating employees.

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.