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The Student Leadership Challenge: Five Practices for Becoming an Exemplary Leader
Note from the This edition includes an access code so students can take the Student Leadership Practices Inventory Self Online , a brief, 30-question assessment to help them explore their own leadership behaviors and skills and determine the steps they can take to liberate the leader within and become their best selves. If you rent or purchase a used book, the access code may have been redeemed previously and will no longer work. 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 leadership actions and aspirations. Your students will learn from first-hand leadership stories from young leaders like themselves around the world, helping them to deeply understand and explore The Five Practices of Exemplary The book guides students through the concrete actions they can take to become exemplary leaders, from finding their voice and clarifying their values, to recognizing others' contributions and celebrating others’ victories. The authors ask readers to reflect at the end of each chapter on their own leadership experiences and abilities now and for the future.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
44 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
James M. Kouzes
300 books96 followersJim Kouzes has been thinking about leadership ever since he was one of only a dozen Eagle Scouts to be selected to serve in John F. Kennedy's honor guard when Kennedy was inaugurated President of the United States. Kennedy's inaugural call to action -- "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." -- inspired Jim to join the Peace Corps, and he taught school in Turkey for two years. That experience made Jim realize that he wanted a career that offered two things: the chance to teach and the opportunity to serve. It was in his first job back in the U.S. training community action agency managers that Jim found his calling, and he has devoted his life to leadership development ever since.
Jim Kouzes is the coauthor with Barry Z. Posner of the award-winning and best-selling book, The Leadership Challenge, with over 3.0 million copies in print. He's a Fellow of the Doerr Institute for New Leaders at Rice University and also served as the Dean's Executive Fellow of Leadership, Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University. Jim and Barry have coauthored many bestselling leadership books including A Leader's Legacy, Encouraging the Heart, The Truth About Leadership, and Credibility. They are also the developers of The Leadership Practices Inventory—the bestselling off-the-shelf leadership assessment in the world. Their books are extensively researched-based, and over 500 doctoral dissertations and academic studies have been based on their original work.
Not only is Jim a highly regarded leadership scholar, The Wall Street Journal cited Jim as one of the twelve best executive educators in the U.S. He is the 2010 recipient of the Thought Leadership Award from the Instructional Systems Association, listed as one of HR Magazine’s Most Influential International Thinkers, named one of the Top 100 Thought Leaders in Trustworthy Business Behavior by Trust Across America, and ranked by Leadership Excellence magazine as one of the Top 100 Thought Leaders. Jim was presented with the Golden Gavel, the highest honor awarded by Toastmasters International, and he and Barry are also the recipients of the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) Distinguished Contribution to Workplace Learning and Performance Award, presented in recognition of their extensive body of work and the significant impact they have had on learning and performance in the workplace.
Jim Kouzes is the coauthor with Barry Z. Posner of the award-winning and best-selling book, The Leadership Challenge, with over 3.0 million copies in print. He's a Fellow of the Doerr Institute for New Leaders at Rice University and also served as the Dean's Executive Fellow of Leadership, Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University. Jim and Barry have coauthored many bestselling leadership books including A Leader's Legacy, Encouraging the Heart, The Truth About Leadership, and Credibility. They are also the developers of The Leadership Practices Inventory—the bestselling off-the-shelf leadership assessment in the world. Their books are extensively researched-based, and over 500 doctoral dissertations and academic studies have been based on their original work.
Not only is Jim a highly regarded leadership scholar, The Wall Street Journal cited Jim as one of the twelve best executive educators in the U.S. He is the 2010 recipient of the Thought Leadership Award from the Instructional Systems Association, listed as one of HR Magazine’s Most Influential International Thinkers, named one of the Top 100 Thought Leaders in Trustworthy Business Behavior by Trust Across America, and ranked by Leadership Excellence magazine as one of the Top 100 Thought Leaders. Jim was presented with the Golden Gavel, the highest honor awarded by Toastmasters International, and he and Barry are also the recipients of the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) Distinguished Contribution to Workplace Learning and Performance Award, presented in recognition of their extensive body of work and the significant impact they have had on learning and performance in the workplace.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 23, 2022
needed a friends to lovers plot line :/
June 11, 2024
I read the fourth edition, NOT the second. Anyway, the guiding principles definitely provide a nice outline to develop leadership curriculum in working with individual students. I wish there was a bit more meat to it rather than anecdotal stories, but alas, leadership books have yet to provide me with that sort of information.
Read
March 27, 2024read this for school so no rating bleh
November 13, 2022
I read this for a mentor program through Leadership Johnson County.
My favorite part of each section was the "take action" list.
I learned some things I will carry over to sorority leadership.
My favorite part of each section was the "take action" list.
I learned some things I will carry over to sorority leadership.
June 26, 2017
I read this book as part of a summer internship program based partly on leadership.
I absolutely love this book and would recommend it to anyone!
This book has simple yet effective suggestions for people who want to be leaders.
There are a bunch of amazing stories of leadership in action!
The Five Practices of Leadership are fabulous!
I absolutely love this book and would recommend it to anyone!
This book has simple yet effective suggestions for people who want to be leaders.
There are a bunch of amazing stories of leadership in action!
The Five Practices of Leadership are fabulous!
February 21, 2018
There wasn’t anything wrong with this book, but there wasn’t much right with it either. I think the general concepts were good, but the content overall left me feeling like it was intended for a much younger audience, not my class of seniors in college.
did-not-finish
February 24, 2022one week before the course I'm reading this for ends and I've opened the book maybe twice. the content is summarized in class so thank god I didnt actually buy this lol
October 14, 2022
INTRO: WHEN PEOPLE ARE AT THEIR BEST AS LEADERS
Starts with teenager's idea to start an organization about gender inequality. "Leaders seize the moment." Take action, acknowledge contributions, it's about behavior.
FIVE PRACTICES OF EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP: 1. Model the Way 2. Inspire a Shared Vision 3. Challenge the Process 4. Enable Others to Act 5. Encourage the Heart
MODEL THE WAY: Behavior earns respect, model the behavior you expect of others, affirm the shared values of the group, set the example.
INSPIRE A SHARED VISION: Leaders envision the future by imagining exciting and enabling possibilities, enlist others in a common vision by appealing to shared aspirations, talk and listen and enlist others by making them feel that they matter and will make a difference.
CHALLENGE THE PROCESS: Different ways of thinking, new events, seize the initiative and be innovative to improve, experiment and take risks, small wins are good, the best leaders are simply the best learners
ENABLE OTHERS TO ACT: Leaders foster collaboration by building trust and facilitating relationships, strengthen others by increasing self-determination and developing competence
ENCOURAGE THE HEART: Leaders recognize contributions by showing appreciation of individual excellence, celebrate values and victories by creating a spirit of community
TEN COMMITMENTS OF EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP: behaviors embedded in the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership, the basis for your learning to lead.
MODEL THE WAY: 1. Clarify values by finding your voice and affirming shared values 2. Set the example by aligning actions with shared values.
INSPIRE A SHARED VISION: 3.. Envision the future by imagining exciting and enabling possibilities. 4. Enlist others in a common vision by appealing to shared aspirations.
CHALLENGE THE PROCESS: 5. Search for opportunities by seizing the initiative and by looking outward for innovation ways to improve. 6. Experiment and take risks by consistently generating small wins and learning from experience.
ENABLE OTHERS TO ACT: 7. Foster collaboration by building trust and facilitating relationships. 8. Strengthen others by increasing self-determination and developing competence.
ENCOURAGE THE HEART: 9. Recognize contributions by showing appreciation for individual excellence. 10. Celebrate the values and victories by creating a spirit of community.
CHAPTER 1: COMMITMENT #1: CLARIFY VALUES
Before Chapter 1 it references the "Student Leadership Practices Inventory" and has students reflect on their scores. At the end of Chapter 1 the student is to "Reflect" with some discussion questions. It also has some examples to "Take Action".
CHAPTER 2: COMMITMENT #2: SET THE EXAMPLE
Has reflection questions at the end of the chapter. It also has some examples to "Take Action".
CHAPTER 3: COMMITMENT #3: ENVISION THE FUTURE
Before the Chapter it references the "Student Leadership Practices Inventory" and has students reflect on their scores. At the end of the Chapter the student is to "Reflect" with some discussion questions. It also has some examples to "Take Action".
CHAPTER 4: COMMITMENT #4: ENLIST OTHERS
At the end of the Chapter the student is to "Reflect" with some discussion questions. It also has some examples to "Take Action".
CHAPTER 5: COMMITMENT #5: SEARCH FOR OPPORTUNITIES
Before the Chapter it references the "Student Leadership Practices Inventory" and has students reflect on their scores. At the end of the Chapter the student is to "Reflect" with some discussion questions. It also has some examples to "Take Action".
CHAPTER 6: COMMITMENT #6: EXPERIMENT AND TAKE RISKS
At the end of the Chapter the student is to "Reflect" with some discussion questions. It also has some examples to "Take Action".
CHAPTER 7: COMMITMENT #7: FOSTER COLLABORATION
Before the Chapter it references the "Student Leadership Practices Inventory" and has students reflect on their scores. At the end of the Chapter the student is to "Reflect" with some discussion questions. It also has some examples to "Take Action".
CHAPTER 8: COMMITMENT #8: STRENGTHEN OTHERS
At the end of the Chapter the student is to "Reflect" with some discussion questions. It also has some examples to "Take Action".
CHAPTER 9: COMMITMENT #9: ENCOURAGE THE HEART
Before the Chapter it references the "Student Leadership Practices Inventory" and has students reflect on their scores. At the end of the Chapter the student is to "Reflect" with some discussion questions. It also has some examples to "Take Action".
CHAPTER 10: COMMITMENT #10: CELEBRATE THE VALUES AND VICTORIES
At the end of the Chapter the student is to "Reflect" with some discussion questions. It also has some examples to "Take Action".
AFTERWARD: A CALL TO ACTION FOR LEADERS
Leadership development is an ongoing process.
-Book constantly references student leaders and their actions in high schools - which is a plus.
-Also has some good graphics that can be used as visual signs for each of the five practices.
-References a website http://www.studentleadershipchallenge... that has a ton of supplemental resources and training opportunities.
Starts with teenager's idea to start an organization about gender inequality. "Leaders seize the moment." Take action, acknowledge contributions, it's about behavior.
FIVE PRACTICES OF EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP: 1. Model the Way 2. Inspire a Shared Vision 3. Challenge the Process 4. Enable Others to Act 5. Encourage the Heart
MODEL THE WAY: Behavior earns respect, model the behavior you expect of others, affirm the shared values of the group, set the example.
INSPIRE A SHARED VISION: Leaders envision the future by imagining exciting and enabling possibilities, enlist others in a common vision by appealing to shared aspirations, talk and listen and enlist others by making them feel that they matter and will make a difference.
CHALLENGE THE PROCESS: Different ways of thinking, new events, seize the initiative and be innovative to improve, experiment and take risks, small wins are good, the best leaders are simply the best learners
ENABLE OTHERS TO ACT: Leaders foster collaboration by building trust and facilitating relationships, strengthen others by increasing self-determination and developing competence
ENCOURAGE THE HEART: Leaders recognize contributions by showing appreciation of individual excellence, celebrate values and victories by creating a spirit of community
TEN COMMITMENTS OF EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP: behaviors embedded in the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership, the basis for your learning to lead.
MODEL THE WAY: 1. Clarify values by finding your voice and affirming shared values 2. Set the example by aligning actions with shared values.
INSPIRE A SHARED VISION: 3.. Envision the future by imagining exciting and enabling possibilities. 4. Enlist others in a common vision by appealing to shared aspirations.
CHALLENGE THE PROCESS: 5. Search for opportunities by seizing the initiative and by looking outward for innovation ways to improve. 6. Experiment and take risks by consistently generating small wins and learning from experience.
ENABLE OTHERS TO ACT: 7. Foster collaboration by building trust and facilitating relationships. 8. Strengthen others by increasing self-determination and developing competence.
ENCOURAGE THE HEART: 9. Recognize contributions by showing appreciation for individual excellence. 10. Celebrate the values and victories by creating a spirit of community.
CHAPTER 1: COMMITMENT #1: CLARIFY VALUES
Before Chapter 1 it references the "Student Leadership Practices Inventory" and has students reflect on their scores. At the end of Chapter 1 the student is to "Reflect" with some discussion questions. It also has some examples to "Take Action".
CHAPTER 2: COMMITMENT #2: SET THE EXAMPLE
Has reflection questions at the end of the chapter. It also has some examples to "Take Action".
CHAPTER 3: COMMITMENT #3: ENVISION THE FUTURE
Before the Chapter it references the "Student Leadership Practices Inventory" and has students reflect on their scores. At the end of the Chapter the student is to "Reflect" with some discussion questions. It also has some examples to "Take Action".
CHAPTER 4: COMMITMENT #4: ENLIST OTHERS
At the end of the Chapter the student is to "Reflect" with some discussion questions. It also has some examples to "Take Action".
CHAPTER 5: COMMITMENT #5: SEARCH FOR OPPORTUNITIES
Before the Chapter it references the "Student Leadership Practices Inventory" and has students reflect on their scores. At the end of the Chapter the student is to "Reflect" with some discussion questions. It also has some examples to "Take Action".
CHAPTER 6: COMMITMENT #6: EXPERIMENT AND TAKE RISKS
At the end of the Chapter the student is to "Reflect" with some discussion questions. It also has some examples to "Take Action".
CHAPTER 7: COMMITMENT #7: FOSTER COLLABORATION
Before the Chapter it references the "Student Leadership Practices Inventory" and has students reflect on their scores. At the end of the Chapter the student is to "Reflect" with some discussion questions. It also has some examples to "Take Action".
CHAPTER 8: COMMITMENT #8: STRENGTHEN OTHERS
At the end of the Chapter the student is to "Reflect" with some discussion questions. It also has some examples to "Take Action".
CHAPTER 9: COMMITMENT #9: ENCOURAGE THE HEART
Before the Chapter it references the "Student Leadership Practices Inventory" and has students reflect on their scores. At the end of the Chapter the student is to "Reflect" with some discussion questions. It also has some examples to "Take Action".
CHAPTER 10: COMMITMENT #10: CELEBRATE THE VALUES AND VICTORIES
At the end of the Chapter the student is to "Reflect" with some discussion questions. It also has some examples to "Take Action".
AFTERWARD: A CALL TO ACTION FOR LEADERS
Leadership development is an ongoing process.
-Book constantly references student leaders and their actions in high schools - which is a plus.
-Also has some good graphics that can be used as visual signs for each of the five practices.
-References a website http://www.studentleadershipchallenge... that has a ton of supplemental resources and training opportunities.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2022
Make sure you have a highlighter nearby! This book has some invaluable information about what it means to be a leader. While catered to higher education and college students specifically, I think this is an influential book for anyone in any field who wants to learn how to be a better, more effective leader. Leadership is a skill that anyone can learn (it is not something people either have or do not have). My one complaint about this book is how dry it is. It took me a long time to finish this book for that reason.
March 22, 2020
This book covers ten important aspects of being a leader which are then divided into five sections with two chapters each. I was pleasantly surprised at how readable the book is, and the stories it told provided great real-life examples of how each of the concepts could be put into practice. I would highly recommend the book to student leaders or anyone working with student leaders. It also could be applied outside of the school context to anything requiring leadership.
Read
March 10, 2024had to read for YL.. but actually a good book if you're wanting to improve your "skills as a leader". a bit cliche sounding but true. it's nice they give easy to understand examples that a high schooler can sometimes relate to. probably wouldn't have finished it if it was my choice, but it's a motivating book
December 23, 2021
A good framework for student leaders and lots of examples. Maybe nothing new or cutting edge here, but it did help me think through some of the things I'd like to emphasize as I develop a leadership center at my university.
November 26, 2019
A lot of my students read this book as part of their college class on leadership. Most of it I have heard before, but most of my students have not.
April 19, 2021
I see why this is a useful series and textbook for student leaders. Valuable points to learn around leadership.
November 23, 2021
Terrible waste of time. Appropriate for the middle school/high school level, not college. Cliche, trite, useless.
August 20, 2023
Took me forever to read but not a bad book. Nice final chapter and notes on leadership. It was a gift so I felt like I should read it!
Read
October 11, 2023read this for class
April 27, 2025
Shoutout Dannie and Corey
July 27, 2019
Although a bit excessively in its examples, as if for a younger audience, this book offers valuable and practical perspectives on leadership and how you can develop your own. It helped me reflect on my personal vision, values and actions.
Easy to read and a great basis for group discussions. Would read again and use with new members in future teams/organisations/businesses.
Easy to read and a great basis for group discussions. Would read again and use with new members in future teams/organisations/businesses.
Want to read
August 18, 2014ebook ncsu
April 3, 2015
This was a slow going book and could have made things less like leadership for dummies and more advanced. Concepts were generic and overall didn't seem helpful.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews