With over 30 years of original global research, we've analyzed thousands of leaders' best experiences—their personal standards of excellence. These stories span for-profit and nonprofit sectors, from agriculture and mining to manufacturing, utilities, banking, healthcare, government, education, arts, and community service.
These leaders include employees and volunteers, young and old, women and men, crossing racial, religious, ethnic, and cultural lines. They exist in every city, country, function, and organization. Exemplary leadership is everywhere we look.
Related: 7 Personality Traits of a Great Leader
In top organizations, everyone—regardless of title—is encouraged to lead. They nurture talents, including leadership, debunking myths that hinder development. One major myth: some have leadership, others don't—and if not, you can't learn it. Empirical evidence proves otherwise.
Reflecting on their best experiences, leaders like Tanvi Lotwala, revenue accountant at Bloom Energy, conclude: “We are all born leaders. We all have ingrained leadership qualities. All we need is to polish them and bring them to the fore. It is an ongoing process to develop ourselves as a leader, but unless we meet the leadership challenges presented to us daily, we cannot become better.”
Since the early 1980s, we've asked people worldwide what they did at their “personal best” in leading others. Analyzing thousands of accounts reveals consistent behaviors across contexts and time. When extraordinary results occur, leaders follow the Five Exemplary Leadership Practices®.
These aren't reserved for elites; leadership is behavior, not personality. Available to anyone embracing the challenge of guiding people and organizations to new heights—from ordinary to extraordinary.
This timeless framework endures amid changing contexts. Backed by millions of respondents and hundreds of scholars, it's the operating system for leaders everywhere.
Related: 10 Qualities of Masterful Leaders
1. Model the Way.
Titles grant authority, but behavior earns respect. Exemplary leaders clarify values, find their voice, and articulate beliefs clearly. They lead by example. At Miller Valentine Group, CEO Terry Callahan joined a high-stakes event, rolling up sleeves to mulch landscaping. A team member noted: “Terry taught me leadership is not about titles but personal responsibility and positive example.”
2. Inspire a Shared Vision.
Best experiences involve envisioning an exciting future with unwavering faith. Leaders imagine exciting, ennobling possibilities and enlist others. As Oracle's Ajay Aggrawal says, “Connect with what's meaningful to others and create belief in great achievements.” Leadership is dialogue—understanding dreams to build support.
3. Challenge the Process.
Greatness forges in challenge. Leaders search for opportunities to innovate and experiment, taking risks. They pioneer, learn from failures via incremental steps: Try, fail, learn.
4. Enable Others to Act.
Greatness requires teams. Leaders foster collaboration and build trust, empowering others. Sushma Bhope of a stealth tech startup emphasized openness and shared decision-making: “The team was bigger than any one person.”
5. Encourage the Heart.
Propel people past exhaustion with recognition. Calpine's Denise Straka learned: “People want to feel valued; acknowledging accomplishments shows belief in them.” Leaders recognize contributions and celebrate values and victories, linking rewards to performance.
Related: 5 Things Strong Leaders Do
Excerpted with permission from Wiley, publisher of The Leadership Challenge: How to Achieve Extraordinary Results in Organizations, 6th Edition, by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner. Copyright © 2017. All rights reserved. Available wherever books and e-books are sold.
