LIBERTY AND LEADERSHIP FORUM

Leadership: 5 Principles of Leadership

Day & Date Monday, July 7, 9AM 12PM
Location Collins Executive Education Center, Room 108
Instructor Jay Carson
Preparation The following reading needs to be completed before the lesson.
Additionally, review the discussion questions below and prepare
responses.
The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership by James Kouzes and
Barry Posner
Learning Objectives
Students will be introduced to the Five Practices of Exemplary
Leadership model.
Students will link the Five Practices to their own leadership and core
values.
Discussion Questions
1. Read the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership article and think
about examples of leaders that you admire. How do they
demonstrate each one of these five practices?
2. Consider the five practices and reflect on your own personal
leadership:
 a. Which one do you do particularly well your greatest strength as
a leader?
b. Which ones do you think could use further development for you
to grow to be an even stronger leader?
c. Sometimes we are biased when we think about our own
leadership. How do you think others who know you well would
rate you on each of the five practices? What would they say are
your strengths and weaknesses?
3. Consider some of the specific leaders that we have been studying in
this Forum. Which of the Five Practices do you see exhibited in their
leadership?
a. Martin Luther King, Jr.
b. Nelson Mandela
c. Aung Sun Suu Kyi
d. Vaclav Havel

Topics for Discussion

Taking a leadership point of view
The role of values in leading effectively
Leadership behaviors that make a difference
Effective Leadership
Practices

Jay B. Carson, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor - SMU Cox School of Business
Common Leadership Myths

Leaders are born

There is one best style

of leadership

Leadership equals
position
Who Would you Willingly Follow?
 Characteristics of Admired Leaders

Honest Broad-minded Competent

Intelligent Fair-minded Caring
Dependable Courageous Cooperative
Determined Imaginative Inspiring
Mature Independent Ambitious
Self-Controlled Straightforward Loyal
Supportive Forward-looking
Top Attributes for Success as CEO

1. Sound Decision
Making

2. Strong Ethical
Grounding

3. Strategic Thinking

SOURCE: SMU Cox CEO Sentiment Survey

Typical Points of View

What do you want me to do?

Follower Will you give me more authority?
I need you to clear obstacles for me.

Thats not my job.

Ill pass that on to (person x).
Bureaucrat Our procedures dont allow that.
Weve never done it that way.

What did they do last time?

Administrator Lets see, what was the rule on that?
How can we maintain our current position?

That will never work!

Contrarian We tried that before.
Thats a terrible idea.
The Leadership Point of View
The Leadership Point of View

Seeing what needs to

be done

Understanding the
underlying forces at
play in a situation

Initiating action to
make things better
The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership

1. Model the Way

2. Inspire a Shared
Vision

3. Challenge the
Process

4. Enable Others to Act

5. Encourage the Heart

Model the Way

Find your voice by clarifying your personal

values.

Set the example by aligning actions with shared

values.
Leadership on Trial

Values Evidence
Model the Way

1. Sets a personal example of what is expected.

2. Makes certain that people adhere to agreed-on
standards.
3. Follows through on promises and commitments.
4. Asks for feedback on how his/her actions affect
peoples performance.
5. Builds consensus around organizations values.
6. Is clear about his/her philosophy of leadership.

Source: Kouzes & Posner. Leadership Practices Inventory.

Inspire a Shared Vision

Envision the future by imagining exciting and

ennobling possibilities.

Enlist others in a common vision by appealing to

shared aspirations.
Components of a Vision

Core Ideology
Core values
Core purpose

Preferred Future
Vivid description
Paints a picture with
concrete imagery
Core Values

Timeless guiding principles

Have intrinsic value
Fundamental

Examples
Social responsibility
Excellence
Honesty and integrity
Service
Hard work
Innovation, creativity
Core Purpose
Reason for being
Never achieved
Unchanging but stimulates
change

Examples
To solve unsolved problems
innovatively
To help leading corporations
be more successful
To preserve and improve
human life
To make people happy
Envisioned Future

Bold Mission
Clear, compelling
Serves as unifying focal point
of effort
Success is uncertain

Vivid Description
Engaging
Vibrant
Tangible/Concrete
Video Exercise

Watch JFK Video

List all the Whys

mentioned for going to
the moon.
Inspire a Shared Vision

1. Talks about future trends influencing our work.

2. Describes a compelling image of the future.

3. Appeals to others to share dream of the future.

4. Shows others how their interests can be realized.

5. Paints big picture of group aspirations.

6. Speaks with conviction about meaning of work.

Source: Kouzes & Posner. Leadership Practices Inventory.

Challenge the Process

Search for opportunities by seeking innovative

ways to change, grow, and improve.

Experiment and take risks by constantly

generating small wins and learning from
mistakes.
Challenge the Process

1. Seeks challenging opportunities to test skills.

2. Challenges people to try new approaches.
3. Searches outside organization for innovative ways to
improve.
4. Asks What can I learn?
5. Makes certain that goals, plans, and milestones are set.
6. Experiments and takes risks.

Source: Kouzes & Posner. Leadership Practices Inventory.

Enable Others to Act

Foster collaboration by promoting cooperative

goals and building trust.

Strengthen everyones capacity to deliver by

sharing power and discretion.
Captain Mike Abrashoff
Lead by example
Its funny how often the problem is you
Listen aggressively
See the ship through the eyes of the
crew
Communicate, communicate,
communicate
Build purpose and meaning
Create a climate of trust
People may be redeemable Trust
them and they will often prove you right
Expect the best from your crew
Innovation knows no rank
Enable Others to Act

1. Develops cooperative relationships.

2. Actively listens to diverse points of view.

3. Treats others with dignity and respect.

4. Supports decisions other people make.

5. Gives people choice about how to do their work.

6. Ensures that people grow in their jobs.

Source: Kouzes & Posner. Leadership Practices Inventory.

Encourage the Heart

Recognize contributions by showing appreciation

for individual excellence.

Celebrate the values and victories by creating a

spirit of community.
Encourage the Heart

1. Praises people for a job well done.

2. Expresses confidence in peoples abilities.

3. Creatively rewards people for their contributions.

4. Recognizes people for commitment to shared values.

5. Finds ways to celebrate accomplishments.

6. Gives team members appreciation and support.

Source: Kouzes & Posner. Leadership Practices Inventory.

Suggested Further Reading
The Leadership Challenge: How to Make Extraordinary Things
Happen in Organizations James Kouzes and Barry Posner
(2012)

The Truth About Leadership: The No-fads, Heart-of-the-matter,

Facts You Need to Know James Kouzes and Barry Posner
(2010)

What Got You Here Wont Get You There

Marshall Goldsmith (2007)

Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die

Chip Heath and Dan Heath (2007)