The Student Leadership Challenge: Five Practices for Becoming an Exemplary Leader

LIBERATE THE LEADER WITHIN Do you think of yourself as a leader? In this updated and expanded second edition of The Student Leadership Challenge , James Kouzes and Barry Posner apply their extensive research and expertise to demonstrate that anyone can be a leader, regardless of age or experience. They challenge high school and undergraduate college students to examine their own leadership actions and aspirations. In this book, youll learn from first–hand leadership stories from young leaders like yourself around the world, helping you to deeply explore and understand The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership: MODEL THE WAY INSPIRE A SHARED VISION CHALLENGE THE PROCESS ENABLE OTHERS TO ACT ENCOURAGE THE HEART Framed within these Five Practices, the authors guide you through the concrete actions you can take to become an exemplary leader, from finding your voice and clarifying your own values, to recognizing others contributions and celebrating their victories. They ask you to reflect at the end of each chapter on your own leadership experiences and abilities now and for the future. This new edition also includes an access code so you can take the Student Leadership Practices Inventory Self Online, a brief, 30–question assessment to help you explore your own leadership behavior and determine the steps you can take to liberate the leader within and become your best self. Praise for The Student Leadership Challenge, Second Edition Employers are looking for students who have content knowledge and practical experienceworking in teams and leading others. The Student Leadership Challenge is an excellentexample of the behaviors needed to accomplish extraordinary tasks that can get younoticed by a potential employer. Kevin Bailey , vice president for student affairs, University of West Florida

Preface: Making Extraordinary Things Happen with Others xi 1 Introduction: When People Are at Their Best as Leaders 3 The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership PRACTICE 1: MODEL THE WAY 2 Commitment #1: Clarify Values 22 Find Your Voice Affirm Shared Values 3 Commitment #2: Set the Example 40 Live the Shared Values Teach Others to Model the Values PRACTICE 2: INSPIRE A SHARED VISION 4 Commitment #3: Envision the Future 66 Imagine the Possibilities Find a Common Purpose 5 Commitment #4: Enlist Others 89 Appeal to Common Ideals Animate the Vision PRACTICE 3: CHALLENGE THE PROCESS 6 Commitment #5: Search for Opportunities 114 Seize the Initiative Exercise Outsight 7 Commitment #6: Experiment and Take Risks 136 Generate Small Wins Learn from Experience PRACTICE 4: ENABLE OTHERS TO ACT 8 Commitment #7: Foster Collaboration 164 Create a Climate of Trust Facilitate Relationships 9 Commitment #8: Strengthen Others 186 Enhance Self–Determination Coach for Competence and Confi dence PRACTICE 5: ENCOURAGE THE HEART 10 Commitment #9: Recognize Contributions 212 Expect the Best Personalize Recognition 11 Commitment #10: Celebrate the Values and the Victories 234 Create a Spirit of Community Get Personally Involved 12 A Call to Action for Young Leaders 257 Your Continuing Leadership Journey Acknowledgments 269 About the Authors 273 Index 277

JAMES KOUZES and BARRY POSNER have been working together for more thanthirty years, studying leaders, researching leadership, conducting leadership developmentseminars, and serving as leaders themselves in various capacities. They are coauthors ofthe award–winning, best–selling book The Leadership Challenge.