The Truth about Leadership The No-fads, Heart-of-the-Matter Facts You Need to Know

by Kouzes, James M.; Posner, Barry Z.

• ISBN13: 9780470633540
• ISBN10: 0470633549
• eBook ISBN(s): 9780470872420
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2010-08-16
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass
• More Book Details

Summary

A fresh look at what it means to lead from two of the biggest names in leadership

In these turbulent times, when the very foundations of organizations and societies are shaken, leaders need to move beyond pessimistic predictions, trendy fads, and simplistic solutions. They need to turn to what's real and what's proven. In their engaging, personal, and bold new book, Kouzes and Posner reveal ten time-tested truths that show what every leader must know, the questions they must be prepared to answer, and the real-world issues they will likely face.

-Based on thirty years of research, more than one million responses to Kouzes and Posner's leadership assessment, and the questions people most want leaders to answer

-Explores the fundamental, enduring truths of leadership that hold constant regardless of context or circumstance-leaders make a difference, credibility, values, trust, leading by example, heart, and more

-Shows emerging leaders what they need to know to be effective; fans of The Leadership Challenge will find a dynamic new look at the real challenges leaders face today

Drawing from cases spanning three generations of leaders from around the world, this is a book leaders can use to do their real and necessary work-bringing about the essential changes that will renew organizations and communities.

Praise for The Truth About Leadership

"This book cuts through the clutter and reminds us of what really matters. The introduction alone is worth the price of the book."-Patrick Lencioni, president, The Table Group, and author, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team and Getting Naked

"The leadership truths Kouzes and Posner lay out have not only endured the test of time but are even more relevant now in a world transformed by Twittering Millennials. Buy copies for yourself, your boss, and also for the up-and-coming leaders of your organization." -Charlene Li, author, Open Leadership, and founder, Altimeter Group

"Elegant in its simplicity and powerful in its depth, The Truth About Leadership dazzles.... This is that one-in-a-million book that serves to pull an entire field together for the reader. No matter how many books you've read on leadership, you will better understand each of them after reading this remarkable book." -Colonel Tom Kolditz, PhD, professor, US Military Academy at West Point, and author, In Extremis Leadership

"This is a book every leader should put on his or her nightstand and read a chapter a night."-Stephen Almassy, global vice chair, Ernst & Young Global Limited

"Regardless of your experience, age, generation, or life stage, The Truth About Leadership will remind you of the vital role leaders play in our lives, renew your interest in understanding what makes a leader great, and rekindle your desire to be an inspiring leader yourself." -Lynne Lancaster, coauthor, When Generations Collide and The M-Factor

"The Truth About Leadership provides some of the best practical advice on leadership I've read in a long time. If you have not read Kouzes and Posner and you manage people, shame on you. Start here. If you have read their work and your workplace needs a shot in the arm, you'll find this book a quick, engaging jewel that will help you become a more trusted, credible, and valued leader."-Adrian Gostick, author, The Carrot Principle

Author Biography

James M. Kouzes is the Dean's Executive Professor of Leadership, Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University, and one of the leading executive educators in the United States.

Barry Z. Posner is Professor of Leadership at Santa Clara University, where he served as Dean of the Leavey School of Business for twelve years (1996–2009).

Together, they are the bestselling authors of The Leadership Challenge, A Leader's Legacy, Credibility, Encouraging the Heart, The Leadership Challenge Workbook, and over a dozen other books and workbooks on leadership. They also developed the highly acclaimed Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI), a 360-degree assessment tool based on The Five Practices. They are among the most sought-after scholars and educators on the subjects of leadership and leadership development.

For more information, please visit www.truthaboutleadership.com

Table of Contents

Introduction: What Everyone Wants to Know about Leadership	p. xiii
You Make a Difference	p. 1
Credibility is the Foundation of Leadership	p. 15
Values Drive Commitment	p. 29
Focusing on the Future Sets Leaders Apart	p. 45
You Can't do it Alone	p. 61
Trust Rules	p. 75
Challenge is the Crucible For Greatness	p. 91
You Either Lead by Example or You Don't Lead at All	p. 105
The Best Leaders are the Best Learners	p. 119
Leadership is an Affair of the Heart	p. 135
Epilogue: Leaders Say Yes	p. 153
About the Authors	p. 165
Acknowledgments	p. 171
Notes	p. 175
Index	p. 191
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