The Student Leadership Challenge

Real-world leadership training for real-world students

The Student Leadership Challenge tailors one of the world’s most respected leadership models to students’ unique needs, and provides a proven pathway to success. Based on The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership, this book merges solid research with personal stories from real-world student leaders to help students develop the critical skills they need to lead both now and after graduation. Useful from high school to graduate school and beyond, these lessons are reinforced by reflective and critical thinking activities to help students internalize important concepts while honestly assessing their own practices. Updated and expanded, this new third edition includes four extra chapters to allow deeper investigation, while broader, deeper, and more vivid examples from real-life students illustrate what student leadership looks like around the world. New discussion delves into the research behind the model, as well as the usefulness of leadership in the transition to post-graduate life.

What does leadership mean to you? Although it may be difficult to put into words, we all know it when we see it. Effective leaders tend to exhibit a specific set of traits, possess certain skills, and practice particular habits. This book helps you hone your natural talents and shape your path to success as the leader you want to become.  

• Learn The Five Practices of Leadership, and how they help you succeed beyond school
• Discover how students around the world are exhibiting the best in modern leadership
• Practice critical leadership techniques and engage in thought-provoking discussion
• Assess your own potential with the Student Leadership Practices Inventory

Great leadership is more important than ever before, and students are in a prime position to develop these critical skills. The Student Leadership Challenge provides a comprehensive framework with real-world application to help students become their very best.

JAMES M. KOUZES and BARRY Z. POSNER have been working together for more than thirty years—studying leaders, researching leadership, conducting leadership development seminars, and serving as leaders in various capacities. They have also coauthored the award-winning, bestselling book, The Leadership Challenge, with over 2.5 million copies sold, and over a dozen other books on the topic.

Preface: Making Extraordinary Things Happen with Others xiii

Introduction: When People Are at Their Best as Leaders 1

The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership

Practice 1: Model the Way

Reflections from the Student Leadership Practices Inventory

1. Commitment #1: Clarify Values 19

Find Your Voice

Affirm Shared Values

Reflect and Act

2. Commitment #2: Set the Example 39

Live the Shared Values

Teach Others to Model the Values

Reflect and Act

Practice 2: Inspire a Shared Vision

Reflections from the Student Leadership Practices Inventory

3 Commitment #3: Envision the Future 67

Imagine the Possibilities

Find a Common Purpose

Reflect and Act

4 Commitment #4: Enlist Others 93

Appeal to Common Ideals

Animate the Vision

Reflect and Act

Practice 3: Challenge the Process

Reflections from the Student Leadership Practices Inventory

5 Commitment #5: Search for Opportunities 121

Seize the Initiative

Exercise Outsight

Reflect and Act

6 Commitment #6: Experiment and Take Risks 145

Generate Small Wins

Learn from Experience

Reflect and Act

Practice 4: Enable Others to Act

Reflections from the Student Leadership Practices Inventory

7 Commitment #7: Foster Collaboration 173

Create a Climate of Trust

Facilitate Relationships

Reflect and Act

8 Commitment #8: Strengthen Others 199

Enhance Self-Determination

Develop Competence and Confidence

Reflect and Act

Practice 5: Encourage the Heart

Reflections from the Student Leadership Practices Inventory

9 Commitment #9: Recognize Contributions 227

Expect the Best

Personalize Recognition

Reflect and Act

10 Commitment #10: Celebrate the Values and Victories 251

Create a Spirit of Community

Be Personally Involved

Reflect and Act

Afterword: A Call to Action for Leaders 277

Your Continuing Leadership Journey

Notes 287

Acknowledgments 299

About the Authors 303

Index 309

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.