Title: The Leadership Challenge - Third Edition Authors: James Kouzes and Barry Posner Publisher: John Wiley ISBN: 0 7879 5678 3 Price: £20.95
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This book claims to be “The Most Trusted Source of Becoming a Better Leader”, but does it meet that claim or is it just hyperbole for a book attempting to stand out from the crowd?
The Leadership Challenge provides insight into the ‘five practices’ of leadership namely: model the way; inspire a shared vision; challenge the process; enable others to act; encourage the heart. These practices are then further broken down to produce the ten commitments of leadership:
find your voice by clarifying your personal values
set the example by aligning actions with shared values
envision the future by imaging exiting and enabling possibilities
enlist others in a common vision by appealing to shared aspirations
search for opportunities by seeking innovative ways to change, grow and improve
experiment and take risks by constantly generating small wins and learning from mistakes
foster collaboration by promoting cooperative goals and building trust
strengthen others by sharing power and discretion
recognise contributions by showing appreciation for individual excellence
celebrate the values and victories by creating a spirit of community.
As leadership books go the explanations, case studies and examples are well presented and if you value the impact of a book on your shelf the size and boldly coloured hardback cover of this book will be a winner.
But, as I read on, it hit me - all books on leadership seem to have the same fundamental ideas contained within them. Many of the commitments reminded me of other leadership tips traits or lifestyles, Kotter’s eight stage process for leading change, for example, espouses developing a vision, generating short-term wins and anchoring new approaches by acknowledging the contribution of individuals.
I found myself humming lines from The Smiths: “reissued, repackaged… buy both and feel deceived”. I must stress that this feeling wasn’t the fault of this book. This is a good book on leadership and if you have never read one before, it is recommended. If you have read one or more books on leadership before perhaps it is time to start putting those leadership skills and values into practice rather than collecting yet another re-write of the same story.
Matthew Simkin Strategic Project Developer
TrainingZONE 02-Sep-03 Categories: Reviews Story read 8196
Martin Schmalenbach , 08-Oct-04 Go on - give it a go!
As somebody involved in leadership development in many arenas since 1994, from the military to private & public sector, and as a mentor of MBAs and a student of a masters programme too, I have come across many works on leadership, and worked with many managers like 'Joe Average Manager' too.
I like TLC because it is simple and rooted in practical research - I think it is a real candidate for helping 'Joe' and other very practical people.
I do have a sense from the reviewer that he is not aware of just how long TLC in concept and various forms has been around - it's more the case that other works are similar to TLC in there messages than TLC copying others.
Still, it's a fair challenge the reviewer makes about sameness and applicability.
'Joe' got me thinking about how managers are 'doers' i.e. little time to think on 'lofty' subjects like leadership - perhaps this is part of 'the' problem many organisations seem to have - poor leadership capabilities.
So, if you can or will only read one book on leadership, you could do much worse than read this one! Martin Schmalenbach
Mr Joe Average Manager , 17-Aug-04 Do managers read Leadership books?
I have about a dozen books on leadership in my office and I have not read any one of them. I have not been able to get passed the first chapters as they are certainly not written in 'sraight talking' language for us mere managers to understand quickly.
Most managers are pragmatists ie 'doers', that is the nature of the job, produce something that captures my imagination for a change.
Scott Welch , 22-Sep-03 The Aha moment--Great minds think alike! :-)
'But, as I read on, it hit me -all books on leadership seem to have the same fundamental ideas contained within them. Many of the commitments reminded me of other leadership tips traits or lifestyles...'
In defining univeral leadership practices, it's perhaps inevitable that 'The Leadership Challenge' will share some points and findings with other studies and books on the subject. The forward and appendices explain how TLC differs from earlier trait-based theories of leadership.
TLC attempts to define practices; i.e., what good leaders actually do. In my opinion, it does this successfully. As Tom Peters (with whom the authors are affilated) said in the forward to the second edition,
'(It) has lasted, I believe, because (1) it is research-based, (2) it is practical, and (3) it has heart.'
TLC's research base (over 10,000 leaders; 50,000+ contributors) is broader and more diverse than some studies upon which earlier trait-based leadership theories were founded. For those who are interested, an appendix describes this research in some detail.
As far TLC v. Kotter's 'Leading Change' goes, I have both books and found each worth reading in its own right. I refer to both often. The 'Harvard Business Review' article upon which 'Leading Change' was based first appeared in the spring of 1995--about the same time as TLC's *second* edition.
I've used 'The Leadership Challenge' and its associated 'Leadership Practices Inventory' workshop in leadership development and team building settings with about about a dozen organizations. It requires no special interpretive skills and offers validated multi-rater feedback and self-assessment tools for team contributors and leaders. Candidate reactions to the tools and workshop have been favourable. Sponsors agree that the practical insights from the LPI and development workshop helped candidates to improve professionally.
Usual disclaimers apply. I have no interest in these resources apart from being a satisfied user.
