The Leadership Challenge
The Leadership Challenge
Stacey Caudle
Liberty University
Abstract
“Everyone has a role in accomplishing the mission and everyone directly impacts the effectiveness of his or her organization” (Horton, p 247). According to Conger and Benjamin (1999), creditability and authenticity lie at the heart of leadership, therefore, determining and defining one’s own guiding beliefs and assumptions lie at the heart of becoming a great leader. Providing direction and exercising influence are the two functions at the core of most definitions of leadership. Leaders work with others to create a shared sense of purpose and direction and to achieve shared goals. They help to establish the conditions that enable others to be effective (Leithwood & Riehl, 2003). Kouzers and Posner (2002) conducted research to analyze thousands of personal best leadership experiences in which they found remarkably similar patterns of action. They forged these practices into a model of leadership and developed the core essentials that every leader must practice to achieve success resulting in The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership. This paper will provide a brief analysis of this model through summarization of their book The Leadership Challenge and provide personal thoughts and application for use.
Summary
The Leadership Challenge is not simply a book, but a resource that serves any leader no matter what type of organization or institution. It is a theoretical framework for becoming an effective, successful leader that is well researched and immediately applicable. Authors, Kouzes and Posner aim to help leaders engage in the best practices presented in their book, in order to strengthen and grow their leadership skills and abilities. Kouzes and Posner (2002), created a leadership model that addresses certain behaviors that are available to anyone through committed practice versus personality of a leader.
Stacey Caudle
Liberty University
Abstract
“Everyone has a role in accomplishing the mission and everyone directly impacts the effectiveness of his or her organization” (Horton, p 247). According to Conger and Benjamin (1999), creditability and authenticity lie at the heart of leadership, therefore, determining and defining one’s own guiding beliefs and assumptions lie at the heart of becoming a great leader. Providing direction and exercising influence are the two functions at the core of most definitions of leadership. Leaders work with others to create a shared sense of purpose and direction and to achieve shared goals. They help to establish the conditions that enable others to be effective (Leithwood & Riehl, 2003). Kouzers and Posner (2002) conducted research to analyze thousands of personal best leadership experiences in which they found remarkably similar patterns of action. They forged these practices into a model of leadership and developed the core essentials that every leader must practice to achieve success resulting in The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership. This paper will provide a brief analysis of this model through summarization of their book The Leadership Challenge and provide personal thoughts and application for use.
Summary
The Leadership Challenge is not simply a book, but a resource that serves any leader no matter what type of organization or institution. It is a theoretical framework for becoming an effective, successful leader that is well researched and immediately applicable. Authors, Kouzes and Posner aim to help leaders engage in the best practices presented in their book, in order to strengthen and grow their leadership skills and abilities. Kouzes and Posner (2002), created a leadership model that addresses certain behaviors that are available to anyone through committed practice versus personality of a leader.