Learning Leadership: The Five Fundamentals of Becoming an Exemplary Leader

Praise for LEARNING LEADERSHIP

"How heartening it is to see definitive proof that great leaders are made, not born. Learn for yourself how to make critical connections, collect and use constructive feedback, and lead any size of organization with deliberation and success with the wisdom mined, analyzed, and presented by Kouzes and Posner!"
Marshall Goldsmith is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Triggers, MOJO, and What Got You Here Won′t Get You There

"So, you want to be a leader? This book shows you how. With fluid writing, comprehensive research, and actionable insights, Kouzes and Posner debunk myths and demonstrate that leadership is comprised of a clear set of skills and abilities that can be learned, practiced, and mastered."
Tina Seelig, professor of the practice, Stanford School of Engineering; author of Insight Out, inGenius, andWhat I Wish I Knew When I Was 20

"Kouzes and Posner believe, as I do, that leaders are made, and they support that belief with hard evidence and live examples. Learning Leadership is rich with essential tools and practical advice for becoming an extraordinary leader in any environment. This is the book you need to come out on top!"
John C. Maxwell, New York Times bestselling author and leadership expert

"Learning Leadership covers the fundamentals of what it takes to become an exemplary leader. Kouzes and Posner have done a wonderful job recognizing and sharing the mindset of leaders as learners and they offer evidence–based tools and techniques that you can put to use right away."
Adam Grant, Wharton professor and New York Times bestselling author of Give and Take and Originals

"In my work, people often ask, ′Is there one best book you could recommend on leadership?′ In the past, that choice was difficult, but not anymore. Learning Leadership is that one book with widespread appeal and true value. This book gives each of us the ability to set upon a lifelong path of development as leaders."
Tom Kolditz, executive director, Doerr Institute for New Leaders, Rice University; Brigadier General, U.S. Army (ret); professor emeritus, Behavioral Sciences and Leadership

PART I LEARNING LEADERSHIP FUNDAMENTALS 1

Chapter 1 Leaders are Born and So Are You 3

Chapter 2 Leadership Makes a Difference 13

Chapter 3 You Are Already Leading Just Not Frequently Enough 23

PART II FUNDAMENTAL ONE: BELIEVE YOU CAN 33

Chapter 4 You Have to Believe in Yourself 35

Chapter 5 Learning Is the Master Skill 45

Chapter 6 Leadership Emerges from Within 55

PART III FUNDAMENTAL TWO: ASPIRE TO EXCEL 65

Chapter 7 You Have to Know What s Important to You 67

Chapter 8 Who You Are Isn t Who You Will Be 77

Chapter 9 It s Not Just About You 87

PART IV FUNDAMENTAL THREE: CHALLENGE YOURSELF 97

Chapter 10 Challenge Is Your Leadership Training Ground 99

Chapter 11 Get Curious and Go Kick the Ball Around 109

Chapter 12 Get Gritty and Stay Hardy 119

Chapter 13 Courage Gives You the Strength to Grow 129

PART V FUNDAMENTAL FOUR: ENGAGE SUPPORT 139

Chapter 14 I Couldn t Have Done It without You 141

Chapter 15 Get Connected 151

Chapter 16 Without Feedback You Cannot Grow 159

PART VI FUNDAMENTAL FIVE: PRACTICE DELIBERATELY 169

Chapter 17 Leadership Takes Practice, and Practice Takes Time 171

Chapter 18 Context Matters 181

Chapter 19 Learning Leadership Must Be a Daily Habit 191

PART VII COMMIT TO BECOMING THE BEST 201

Chapter 20 It s Not How You Start; It s How You Finish 203

Notes 213

Acknowledgments 236

About the Authors 239

Index 244

JAMES M. KOUZES is the Dean′s Executive Fellow of Leadership at the Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University, and lectures on leadership around the world to corporations, governments, and nonprofits.

BARRY Z. POSNER is the Accolti Endowed Professor of Leadership at the Leavey School of Business. An accomplished scholar, he also provides leadership workshops and seminars around the world.