James Kouzes

The Leadership Challenge

1. IDEA 1

   Leadership is a set of practices

   Kouzes and Posner studied thousands of stories of people at their personal best as leaders. They found five practices that appeared again and again, and argue that anyone can learn them, whatever their position.

2. IDEA 2

   Credibility is the foundation

   The authors argue that people follow leaders they find credible, honest and competent. Without credibility, no other practice works. In their view, people hand over their effort only to a leader whose words and actions they can rely on.

3. IDEA 3

   Model the way

   Leaders clarify their values and set an example through their actions. People watch what leaders do, not just what they say. In their view, a leader who lives by the stated values earns respect, while one who does not loses it quickly.

All 8 ideas from The Leadership Challenge →