By Linda M. Hatcher
The question “what’s new in leadership?" say leadership experts James Kouzes and Barry Posner, seems to have a disappointing “not much” answer at first glance. “Disappointing” in that everyone likes to hear the newest, greatest leadership trend or fad. In fact, “not much” is a great news-answer for leaders, because while the context of leadership may change with organizations, cultures, and times; the content of great leadership is fairly constant. This brings stability to the basics and thus allows leaders to focus on them rather than pursuing every new fad that comes around.
In the April edition of the FREE Leadership Guide Magazine we feature two excellent articles related to the work of Kouzes and Posner. The first article is entitled “ The Truth About Leadership” (CLICK HERE) which is a review and excerpt of their book with the same title. The second article is an interesting interview with Barry Posner entitled “The Art of Getting Others to Want to Struggle for Shared Aspirations” (CLICK HERE). The key lesson of enduring leadership truths is that leaders make a difference. “Before you can lead others, you have to lead yourself and believe that you can have a positive impact on others,” write Kouzes and Posner. “Also keep in mind that you have the chance to truly change a life … by believing in yourself and in your capacity to lead, you open yourself to hearing the call (to step forward) … you open yourself to making a difference in the world.”
The Truth About Leadership and Posner’s interview are refreshing reminders of the leadership basics and how you can use them to be more effective in your job.
Below we have presented a few additional “gems” from the Kouzes and Posner material in the April edition of the FREE Leadership Guide Magazine. (CLICK HERE) The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership (a model of best-practices leadership that has emerged from Posner’s and Kouzes’ research over the past 30 years):
1. Model the way
2. Inspire a shared vision
3. Challenge the process
4. Enable others to act
5. Encourage the heart
Characters of admired leader - percentage of respondents selecting each characteristic:
Honest……85%
Forward-looking….70%
Inspiring…….69%
Competent…..64%
Intelligent…..42%
Broad-minded….40%
Dependable…….37%
Supportive….36%
Fair-minded….35%
Straightforward….31%
Determined….28%
Cooperative…..26%
Ambitious…..26%
Courageous….20%
Caring….18%
Loyal….18%
Imaginative….18%
Mature…..16%
Self-controlled…..1%
Independent….6%
Motivating employees…
What has the greatest impact on the feeling of employees about their work: “Clarity about personal values?” People want to be part of something bigger than themselves, and they will not commit fully to anything unless it fits with their own beliefs.”
MISC. QUOTES ABOUT LEADERSHIP WISDOM FROM THE TRUTH ABOUT LEADERSHIP:
“Leading others is definitely not about getting others to conform to your point of view. Conformity produces compliance, not commitment.”
“Leadership is more often about listening than telling.”
“It is your job as a leader to lift people’s sights and lift people’s spirits.”
“You are here to make a difference in the world. That is why it is important to invest the time today for the future.”
“Leadership means thinking about the kind of legacy you want to leave and the contributions you want to make.”
“Rather than thinking you have all the answers, you need to be able to ask great questions. Great questions send people on pioneering journeys in their minds.”
“High-quality relationships do not happen spontaneously. They require leadership. It is your job to interact with others in ways that promote connection, collaboration, confidence, and competence. When you do, you will see learning, innovation, and performance soar.”
For more information on Posner’ and Kouzes’ work, and for ordering information on their books, visit www.thetruthaboutleadership.com
