James Kouzes and Barry Posner started their dissertation on leadership over 25 years ago. Through their research, they came up with numerous books, DVDs, and computer based products to be used as a source for individuals or organisations aspiring to become better, more effective leaders.
“The Leadership Challenge” is an inspirational book about leadership and becoming a better leader. The authors outline key points of successful leadership based on the practices of exemplary leaders and based on stories of extraordinary leadership. The overlying idea of “The Leadership Challenge” is that we are all leaders in some sense and that leadership is not a skill only a few individuals possess, but rather it’s a learned process or technique that can be attained by all.
Based on research through stories, surveys, questionnaires, interviews and observing, the authors enumerated five practices common to extraordinary leadership experiences. Kouzes and Posner coined these to be the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership.
Model the way
Good leadership means being able to set the example. A leader must have a clear set of goals and values and a strong belief in a vision. The vision is the framework for actions leaders must take to model the way. To have a clear vision, a leader must find their own voice. Finding your own voice, your own vision, your own belief system is one of the first steps to becoming a successful leader. Finding your own voice enables you to be passionate about your values and beliefs. In order to get others to believe, you must first believe. Having a clear understanding of values and beliefs is a sign of competence and credibility.
When a leader has a clear understanding of the values and beliefs and inspires a shared vision within the organisation, the leader is then able to use the vision as a guide to what behaviours are necessary to aspire to the collective goals and vision of the organisation. Strong leaders are willing to show the value and importance of something by doing it themselves. They are willing to work at various levels. It is important as a leader to remember, “Don’t ask for someone to do something you are not willing to do yourself.”
“Unity is forged, not forced.” As the book highlights, it is essential to the success of an organisation for all to have a common understanding of shared values. Quoting from the book, “Creating shared values is a process that must include everyone… they get people involved in creating shared values.” Creating shared values within an organisation is key to being able to inspire a shared vision.