The Leadership Challenge by James M. Kouzen and Barry Z. Posner

The Leadership Challenge is your “personal coach in a book”.

Part I: The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership

People who guide others follow common patterns of actions. These patterns are not about actions, but about standard practices that the authors have forged into a dynamic model, the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership:

1. Model the Way
2. Inspire a Shared Vision
3. Challenge the Process
4. Enable Others to Act
5. Encourage the Heart

These practices lead to credibility and because it makes such a difference, leaders must take it personally. Not only do employee loyalty, commitment, energy, and productivity depend on it, credibility also influences customer and investor attitudes. For this reason the authors advise: DWYSYWD – Do What You Say You Will Do.
Part II: The Ten Commitments – Building your Competence to Lead

The authors note that a leader’s value is not only determined by a set of guiding beliefs, but also by his or her ability to act on these beliefs. Embedded in each of the Five Practices are behaviors, what the authors call “The Ten Commitments of Leadership.” They are:

1. Find your voice by clarifying your personal values
2. Set the example by aligning actions with shared values
3. Envision the Future by Imagining Exciting and Ennobling Possibilities
4. Enlist Others in a Common Vision by Appealing to Shared Aspirations
5. Search for Opportunities by Seeking Innovative Ways to Change, Grow, and Improve
6. Experiment and Take Risks by Constantly Generating Small Wins and Learning from Mistakes
7. Foster Collaboration by Promoting Cooperative Goals and Building Trust
8. Strengthen Others by Sharing Power and Discretion
9. Recognize Contributions by Showing Appreciation for Individual Excellence
10. Celebrate the Values and Victories

Leadership is about “[giving] courage, [spreading] joy, and [caring] about people, product and process all along the way.”