Synopsis

James Kouzes and Barry Posner’s article “The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership” presents a model of five practices that they believe are essential for a leader:

  1. Model the way for others. They believed that leaders must exemplify expectations through their behavior.
  2. Inspire a shared vision. This requires leaders to communicate and motivate others to want to reach the organization’s goals.
  3. Challenge the process. Ideally, leaders encourage creativity and innovation, leading to new approaches and ideas from their people.
  4. Enable others to act. This idea promotes ownership and initiative. It also allows autonomy.
  5. Encourage the heart. Simply provide positive reinforcement to those around.

This model presents the idea that any person can lead. They argued that leaders must develop their skills through practice, and we can also add trial and error. The critical element they present here is that a leader does not need to question whether they will make a difference but question what type of difference they will make. Their position alone provides them with the influence to make a change, good and bad. “The actions are simple things – spending time with someone – working side by side.”

Leadership is an opportunity where, according to these authors, there is no shortage. They argued that this model is practical and easy to apply regardless of industry, culture, age, and gender.

Just my thoughts

This article is easy to understand and almost a “no duh” moment. Who doesn’t believe that a leader should set the example (model the way)? Who doesn’t think a leader should inspire (inspire shared vision)? Who doesn’t think a leader should challenge others (or the process)? Enable your people to take action? Or provide support for your people (encourage the heart)? 

Kouzes and Posner’s model supports the idea that leadership is about the people. They argued that “Time was more valuable than rewards.” I would wholeheartedly agree.

No surprise here, but I highly recommend you read the article. They provide examples of successful leaders discussing these points and demonstrating just how successful the application of the model can be if you apply it.