FIVE QUALITIES OF THE GOOD LEADER

(Adapted by Allen J. Davis, Ed.D. and Peter B. Martin, Ph.D. from The Leadership Challenge: How to Keep Getting Extraordinary Things Done in Organizations (The Jossey-Bass Management Series) by James M. Kouzes, et al., 1996)

These authors studied successful leaders – a different approach from traditional studies that define success by studying failure, and then by assuming success arises from the opposite. Although many leadership styles exist, their effectiveness often depends on the situation and the people. Kouzes and Posner posit five characteristics of effective leaders’ actions good leaders take regardless of their style. By understanding that leadership can be learned, and that good leaders create leaders, organizational effectiveness is enhanced.

Challenge the status quo: The old business school saying goes, "If the railroads thought they were in the transportation business, they would own the airlines." All organizations must work within their mission, but the world changes rapidly and creative people find things ‘new under the sun".

• Identify and question "business as usual".
• Experiment and take risks; seek and take opportunities.
• Learn from mistakes and successes.

Communicate vision: Vision and mission intertwine, directing organizations to their goals. However, people must know the vision and believe in it – this is a leader’s responsibility.

• Define and visualize the organization’s successful future; formally publicize it.
• Communicate vision daily through, for example, action, feedback, and supervision.
• Inspire others with this vision; attract them to a common purpose.

Enable others to act: In a rapidly changing world, organizations must empower people to make decisions at the point where action takes place. People need the information, training, and support to make the decisions.

• Strengthen others; share power and information.
• Foster collaboration and promote cooperative goals.
• Provide professional development, training, supervision, and feedback to decision-makers.

Be a role model: A leader’s behavior communicates more powerfully than words.

• Set the example.
• Follow through.
• Expect organization members to mirror the example you set.

Encourage others: People work hard and strive for loftier goals when the human environment fosters dignity, meaning, and community.

• Recognize contributions.
• Link rewards with performance.
• Celebrate accomplishments.

updated 08/02/01