The Leadership Challenge, 4th Ed.

The Leadership Challenge – Barry Z. Posner

For more than two decades, James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner have studied what leaders do when they are at their personal best. Their research, based on thousands of stories and surveys from leaders around the world, forms the foundation of The Leadership Challenge, one of the most trusted leadership books ever written.

This fourth edition presents the authors’ renowned model, the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership: Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act and Encourage the Heart. Within these practices are ten commitments that leaders can put into action, such as clarifying values, envisioning the future, searching for opportunities, fostering collaboration and celebrating victories.

Kouzes and Posner emphasize that leadership is everyone’s business. It is not about position or title, but about relationships and behavior, and it can be learned by anyone willing to practice. They also highlight credibility as the foundation of leadership: people want leaders who are honest, forward-looking, competent and inspiring.

Updated with new research, fresh case studies and examples from a diverse range of organizations and countries, this edition reflects the changing context of leadership in a global, connected world, while reaffirming the principles that have stood the test of time.

Practical, inspiring and evidence-based, The Leadership Challenge is an essential resource for managers, executives, educators, students and anyone who wants to make extraordinary things happen in their organization.