Everyday People, Extraordinary Leadership: How to Make a Difference Regardless of Your Title, Role, or Authority

Everyday People, Extraordinary LeadershipJames Kouzes and Barry Posner have been researching leadership for some thirty-seven years together. They wrote about their original research when they co-wrote The Leadership Challenge, which was first published in 1987. The Leadership Challenge has passed the test of time and is in its sixth edition. Their newest collaboration is entitled Everyday People, Extraordinary Leadership: How to Make a Difference Regardless of Your Title, Role, or Authority.Kouzes and Posner certainly have credibility, millions have read their groundbreaking book, but more importantly, their work is back by research. Much of this research surrounds the psychometric properties found in their 30 item survey tool, called the Leadership Practices Inventory. Their research goes beyond the quantitative data. They are fond of asking people to describe their Personal-Best Leadership Experience, which turns the raw data into compelling stories. What their research has consistently found is that great leaders employ five fundamental practices to their craft.• They Model the Way• They Inspire a Shared Vision• They Challenge the Process• They Enable Others to Act, and• They Encourage the HeartSo what is different about this new book? The main difference is the audience this book was written for, everyday people. They believe, as do I, that leadership can come from any level within an organization. "Titles are granted, but being a leader is something that you earn, and you earn it not by your place in the organization but by how you behave" (p. 2). They have crafted this book with inspirational stories about ordinary people and practical how-to tips for the emerging leader to practice.Each of the five chapters related to the leadership practices starts with a story of an individual who did not possess any lofty title within their organization. These stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things highlight the principles and practices of leadership. The stories highlight leadership examples, but the chapters go more in-depth into the practical application of the principle's theory.The seventh and final chapter of this relatively short and easy to digest book that I found I resonated with the most. With headings that include: Leadership Matters, Leadership Can Be Learned, How People Learn to Lead, and Become Your Best Self. The most impactful of these subleader’s is the last one. The authors write about the personal changes that happen when you think about yourself as a leader.• It changes how you present yourself• It changes how you see the future• It changes how you respond to challenges• It changes how you relate to others, and• It changes how you show others appreciation.I want to add that it also changes how others perceive and respond to you. This is a book I highly recommend to young people who have not even considered their position in the world. Everybody can indeed learn to lead. As Kouzes and Posner state, there are three learning styles: Experience, Examples, and Education. Read Everyday People, Extraordinary Leadership as part of that education.

Jim and Barry have created another amazing tool for Leadership knowledge and education. Bringing the Five Practices into our current day challenges gives all those that work a short, but powerful way to see how they contribute, lead and support their organizations. This book is for everyone as it allows you to examine your-self and see how your gifts impact others! Well done !

I’ve been looking forward to reading this new book and it did not disappoint. Call me crazy but I love the title because of the focus on Everyday People and how ALL OF US can be leaders, regardless of our formal title. Back in the day, we used to talk about “Shared Leadership” Early on in my work with organizations the goal was to get everyone to be responsible for the success of the organization and thereby diminish the old school, hierarchical, top-down, leader-driven culture that was prevalent in many corporate, non-profit, government and community-based groups that were often built around the personality of the leader.As I was reading this book, I came across this statement that parallels my work on developing Positive Influence Leaders: “ . . . the more you use the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership, the more likely it is that you'll have a positive influence on other people in the organization." This makes perfect sense.The other thing that caught my attention because it is something that I value is the importance of sharing stories to bring home the message. Kouzes and Posner do a great job of using stories to make their points in a dramatic fashion.I recommend this book without reservation.

The authors of this book have been working together for almost 40 years and have definitely discovered the formula for extraordinary leadership! They have dedicated their career to sharing what they have learned to help people bring out their best leadership. Their newest book does a superb job of outlining what great leadership looks like, sharing inspirational real life stories, and providing time tested techniques to develop leadership capability.For me it differs from other leadership books because it is based on the research and evidence that they have collected throughout the decades. It teaches us that we all have leadership within us - it is just a set of specific behaviors and actions that are available to each of us. This book should be part of everyone's education, not just those who have roles where they are responsible for leading others.You are already showing up in in this world - so why not make a conscious choice to continually develop your leadership to bring out the best in yourself and others? If you are looking for a map and guide - this book is it!!

An excellent read from a leader who has given decades to help develop the next generation of leaders, business and otherwise.Whether you are a new student of Leadership, or an accomplished CEO looking for a good reminder- this is an excellent book, filled with practical and solidly researched techniques.Well worth your time.