These practices and descriptions are originally from the book The Leadership Challenge by Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner.
Model
Model the Way
- Clarify your personal values
- Set the example by aligning activities and behavior with shares values
- Establish principles concerning the way people should be treated and the way they should pursue goals
- Put up signposts when people feel unsure of where to go or how to get there
- Create opportunities for success
- Do what you say you will do
Inspire
Inspire a Shared Vision
- Envision the future and create an ideal and unique image of what your unit can become
- Enlist others in a common vision by appeal to shared aspirations
- Passionately believe you can make a difference
- Get people to see exciting possibilities for the future
- Focus on meaningful work, shared dedication
Challenge
Challenge the Process
- Search for opportunities by seeking innovative ways to change the status quo and improve the organization
- Experiment and take risks by constantly generating small wins and learning from mistakes
- Set interim goals so that people can achieve small wins as they work toward larger objectives
- Unravel bureaucracy when it impedes action
- Accept occasional disappointments as opportunities to learn
- Empower others to take initiative to improve, to experiment and take risks
Enable
Enable Others to Act
- Foster collaboration by promoting cooperative goals and building trust
- Strengthen others by sharing power and discretion
- Actively involve others
- Understand that mutual respect sustains extraordinary efforts
- Strive to create an atmosphere of trust and human dignity
- Strengthen others, making each person feel capable and powerful
- Foster collaboration, share power, and strengthen others
Encourage
Encourage the Heart
- Recognize contributions by showing appreciation for individual excellence
- Celebrate the values and victories by creating a spirit of community
- Make people feel like heroes
- Celebrate the actions that contribute to culture, encourage them and recognize their successes