The Leadership Challenge

Praise for the Fifth Edition of The Leadership Challenge “My heart goes out to Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner with the deepest gratitude for this book, the most powerful leadership resource available. It is providential that at a time of the lowest level of trust and the highest level of cynicism, The Leader- ship Challenge arrives with its message of hope. When there are dark days in our lives, Kouzes and Posner will shine a light.” —Frances Hesselbein, former CEO, Girl Scouts of the USA; author, My Life in Leadership “Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner have taken one of the true leadership classics of the late twentieth century and made it freshly relevant for today’s twenty-first century leaders. It is a must-read for today’s leaders who aspire to contribute in a more significant way tomorrow.” —Douglas R. Conant, New York Times bestselling author, TouchPoints; retired CEO, Campbell Soup Company “For twenty-five years, the names Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner have been synony- mous with leadership. There is a reason for that. This book, in its new and updated form, demonstrates that leadership is a challenge you must win every day. It shows that every leader is unique, with his or her own style, and it helps you find your style. But the real beauty of this book is that it does not just tell you about leadership. It takes you by the hand, and walks you through the steps necessary to be better at what you do. It also gives you the confidence to take the kinds of risks every leader needs to take to succeed. I loved this book twenty-five years ago, and I love it today.” —Joel Kurtzman, author, Common Purpose; editor-in-chief, Korn/Ferry Institute’s Briefings on Talent & Leadership “We consider this twenty-fifth anniversary, fifth edition, the best leadership book out there because it combines solid research, marvelous stories, and highly usable advice. It struck us, as readers of prior editions, that Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner don’t just write about leadership. They lead, and they continue to innovate and model the way. We’re glad to be on the path behind them.” —Jennifer Granholm and Dan Mulhern, coauthors, A Governor’s Story: The Fight for Jobs and America’s Economic Future “If I could recommend only one of the tens of thousands of leadership books ever written, The Leadership Challenge would absolutely be my top choice, and by a wide margin. This new edition builds markedly on the last but remains character- istically Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner—a complex work in its underlying character, but brilliant in its simplicity and practical in design. The Leadership Challenge is the most useful leadership book ever written; I have each and every edition, and each is better than the last.” —Tom Kolditz, author, In Extremis Leadership “The Leadership Challenge has inspired and continues to inspire all those who have the will and commitment to take on the burden of responsibility entailed in leading other people. The book lightens that burden and even ennobles it. It values the humanity in us all and welcomes imagination and faith in the future. We are all grateful and better off with this book on the shelf and in our hearts.” —Peter Block, author, Flawless Consulting “The fifth edition ofThe Leadership Challenge is the culmination of decades of rigor- ous analysis of the characteristics of leadership. By modeling the behaviors described by Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner, every person can develop their leadership potential and become a more effective leader.” —Dan Warmenhoven, executive chairman, board of directors, NetApp “Developing generations of leaders for three decades, Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner are yet again at the cutting edge of leadership. Their five practices of exemplary leadership exactly put into words the characteristics of leadership that I have wit- nessed from many of the greatest football players to ever play the game. If you have ever aspired to be a leader, or need to take your leadership skills to the highest levels, this is the book for you—all you need to do is take the challenge!” —Brent Jones, former All-Pro football player; managing partner, Northgate Capital “The Leadership Challenge is the best research-based practical field guide for leaders I have ever read. While the world around us has changed significantly since 1987, when I picked up the first edition of the book, the simple relevant truths of what great leaders do has not. I love the personal best leadership stories that highlight the five simple-to-understand exemplary practices that really matter. Great leaders are lifelong learners, and there is no better place to start or continue your leadership learning journey than to read this book.” —James Foster, senior vice president, chief product supply officer, the Clorox Company “Whether you are just beginning your leadership journey, are a seasoned CEO, or a professor of leadership, this timeless leadership classic needs to be within constant reach!” —Harry Kraemer Jr., former chairman and CEO, Baxter International; professor of management and strategy, Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management “There are hundreds of leadership books on the market, and you’ll probably get something out of each of them, but none are so solidly based on research as The Leadership Challenge. This is the book that goes beyond opinion and guides you to those behaviors that bring out the strength in others.” —Janelle Barlow, author, A Complaint Is a Gift and Branded Customer Service “The Leadership Challenge is the first book I recommend to all new leaders in Kaiser Permanente. Twenty-five years after it was first written, it remains the best guide to leadership success, and in a time of global competition and economic uncer- tainty, the principles elucidated by Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner serve as a powerful foundation for any individual hoping to help others innovate and embrace change. Leaders should be required to re-read this book every five years of their career.” —Robert Pearl, MD, executive director and CEO, the Permanente Medical Group, Kaiser Permanente “Seldom, it seems, have I been in the office of an HR professional where I did not see a copy of The Leadership Challenge. The book has become a go-to source for professionals looking for insight into leadership development. Now Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner have gone back to the well to create an all-new fifth edition. While The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership are as timely as ever, the stories are fresh and the insights are just as compelling. Simple and accessible, The Leader- ship Challenge is so packed with information that people who care about leadership need to put it on their shelves—but only after reading it cover to cover.” —John Baldoni, president, Baldoni Consulting LLC; author, Lead With Purpose, Lead Your Boss, and Lead By Example “It is truly laudatory that Jim and Barry are celebrating the twenty-fifth year of a book that never lost its appeal. The authors have observed, interviewed, consulted, taught, and thought for all those years, and they continually bring us the best stories, examples, and lessons to keep their work ever green. Bravo and thank you!” —Beverly Kaye, founder, co-CEO, Career Systems International; coauthor, Help Them Grow or Watch Them Go “Speaking from experience, it’s not easy to make research findings engaging, practical, and a pleasure to read. In this new edition of The Leadership Challenge, Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner have once again found that elusive balance between focusing on the data and telling a great story. No other leadership book is as compelling, as comprehensive, or as effective in teaching us how to go about making the changes we must make, in order to become the kind of leaders who can move mountains. If you could read only one book about the art and science of leading, then this is without question the book you should read.” —Heidi Grant Halvorson, author, Nine Things Successful People Do Differently “The Leadership Challenge is a proven, data-driven model for leadership that has stood the test of time. The simple, effective framework works across industries and cultures, helping leaders engage their organizations and deliver superior perfor- mance; this has never been more important than in today’s interconnected, fast- moving world.” —Mike Splinter, CEO, Applied Materials “The Leadership Challenge has re-energized leadership at Applied Materials. The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership provide a commonsense approach that is within the reach of anybody who needs to get work done through others.” —Mary Humiston, senior vice president, global human resources, Applied Materials “Kouzes and Posner have given us a handbook of hope: leadership can be learned at almost any level in an organization. The book provides identifiable skills, practices, and abilities available to anyone willing to develop themselves—not just those charismatic personalities at the top. Research-based, conversationally written, and practically applied, The Leadership Challenge is absolutely the most comprehensive and credible book on leadership to date.” ––Dianna Booher, author, Creating Personal Presence “The Leadership Challenge has gone from being a revelation to a standard to a classic. It is now the defining book on leadership for our time, and there is not a business, government, academic, or military leader in the developed world who, consciously or not, has not been taught its lessons.” —Mike Malone, associate fellow at Said Business School (Oxford); author, Bill & Dave “When Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner write on leadership, all of us had better pay attention. The fifth edition of The Leadership Challenge will quickly become a classic.

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