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Kouzes & Posner - Chapters 7 & 8

Chapter 7:

"Sometimes leaders have to shake things up.  Other times they just have to grab hold of the adversity that surrounds them" (Kouzes & Posner, 2007, p. 164).

This really goes to show you that there is NO one-size fits all approach to effective leadership.  As a leader, you really have to know when you stay the course and when to divert.  It can be a tough call at times, probably most times, but it is one that you have to be willing to make.  Because inaction is probably the worst response.

"...simply saying "I know you can do it; I know you can do it" actually works" (Kouzes & Posner, 2007, p. 172).

I found this interesting; that simple words of encouragement are enough to make people actually take actions that they otherwise would not take.  But after thinking about it, it really makes sense.  If you believe that someone else believes in you, wouldn't you be willing to take a chance.  If you knew that a LEADER believed in you, wouldn't you WANT to take a chance?  I would.
 

"It's only by staying in touch with the world around them that leaders can ever expect to change the business-as-usual environment" (Kouzes & Posner, 2007, p. 177).

You really have to know what is going on, on a global scale, to be able to make the most effective decisions.  It's great to be able to look inside your company and fix a problem within it.  But, unless you know what the rest of the world is doing, and planning on doing, that decision you just made could be a total waste.  Education really is such a vital component to, well, everything!



Chapter 8:

"Nothing new and nothing great is achieved by doing things the way you've always done them" (Kouzes & Posner, 2007, p. 191).

As a leader, you really have to be willing to step out of your comfort zone.  But more than that, you have to get others to step out of THEIR comfort zone as well.  I'm not sure that I 100% agree with this statement.  I do think that change can come about by the "same-old" process.  But at the same time, I understand why they say this.  For drastic change and improvements, you have to take new steps.  Makes sense, I suppose.

"Think about the way professional fundraisers operate: they begin by asking for a small or indeterminate contribution" (Kouzes & Posner, 2007, p. 198).

This is talking about small wins.  The book talks about the importance of small wins in order to achieve larger wins.  Basically, you must crawl before you walk and must walk before you run.  I agree with what they discuss, as small wins help create a foundation for a much larger win.  You can't just jump to victory, to have to work toward it step-by-step.

"No one will follow someone who avoids stressful events and won't take decisive action" (Kouzes & Posner, 2007, p. 209).

A person that avoids stressful events is not a leader.  A leader is someone who handles stressful events with a level of calmness and positivity; at least in my view.  If your leader cannot do this, than why do you follow them?  Don't you want to have a leader who will get you through the rough patches, with a sense of hope and encouragement?  I know I do!


References:

Kouzes, J., & Posner, B.  (2007). Experiment and Take Risks.  The Leadership Challenge (4 ed., pp 188-220). San Francisco: Joseey-Bass.
Kouzes, J., & Posner, B.  (2007). Search for Opportunities.  The Leadership Challenge (4 ed., pp 161-188). San Francisco: Joseey-Bass.

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