Book review: Essential knowledge for all leaders

For 20 years, The Leadership Challenge by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner has been the most trusted source for anyone wishing to become a better leader. Now, this remarkable book has been completely updated with new research and case studies that reflect the borderless world in which we live.

With this updated material, Kouzes and Posner prove that the leadership practices they first uncovered in the 1980s remain as critical and powerful as ever. Moreover, their global perspective demonstrates that leaders in any country can use these practices.

Kouzes' and Posner's research clearly demonstrates that employing the "five practices of exemplary leadership" makes leaders measurably more effective - no matter where in the world they are. When leaders more frequently engage in these practices they are significantly more likely to meet job-related demands, create higher-performing teams, boost sales and customer satisfaction levels, increase motivation, reduce absenteeism, and positively influence recruitment rates.

The Leadership Challenge brings the "five practices of exemplary leadership" to life with dozens of examples and anecdotes from leaders around the globe - 90 percent of which have not been published before. For example, when Dick Nettell took over as new site director for one of Bank of America's consumer call centers, he turned around this hard-working but low-performing office by setting aside time for talking with and listening to his people, encouraging them to work together to paint a dramatically different vision for the future, and holding multiple meetings to raise awareness and encourage everyone to be part of the effort. Nettell maintained momentum through monthly "town hall" meetings and developing new methods of recognition and celebration - including the 15-minute "spirit huddle" and the wearing of "spirit beads".

The insights revealed in The Leadership Challenge are underpinned by universal truths about what people expect from their leaders. At a time when the world and the marketplace are entirely global, this updated fourth edition of a long-trusted source is more valuable than ever. "We need more exemplary leaders, and we need them more than ever," write Kouzes and Posner. The Leadership Challenge offers an essential road map for the leaders of today and tomorrow - wherever they live and work.

Authors: James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner

Publisher: Jossey-Bass

Price: S$29.95/hardcover, 389 pages

ISBN-13: 978-0-7879-8491-5

(China Daily 10/26/2007 page15)