Five Practices of Exemplary Leaders: How to?

How to...

Model the Way - Clarify values by finding your voice and affirming shared ideas. Set the example by aligning actions with shared values.

Inspire a Shared Vision - Envision the future by imagining exciting and ennobling possibilities. Enlist others in a common vision by appealing to shared aspirations.

Challenge the Process - Search for opportunities by seizing the initiative and by looking outward for innovative ways to improve. Experiment and take risks by constantly generating small wins and learning from experience.

Enable Others to Act - Foster collaboration by building trust and facilitating relationships. Strengthen others by increasing self-determination and developing competence.

Encourage the Heart - Recognize contributions by showing appreciation for individual excellence. Celebrate the values and victories by creating a spirit of community.

Source: Robert H. Thompson
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Five Practices of Exemplary Leaders

Your credibility matters so... Model the Way

Your voice matters so... Inspire a Shared Vision

Your action matters so... Challenge the Process

Your gift matters so... Enable Others to Act

Your gratitude matters... Encourage the Heart


Source: The Offsite, Robert H. Thompson
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More of the how later...

Learning: doing what you've never done before

Learning doesn't take place in the absence of mistakes. Leaders are simply great learners. They have, to begin with, a great sense of humility about their own sense of skills and abilities, and many leaders, despite what may objectively be "extraordinary" achievements are loath to attribute them to some extraordinary competency on their part. Think about which people in your organization are the most likely to voluntarily sign up and participate in leadership development programs.

The only way people can learn is by doing what they've never done before. Those who do only what they already know how to do never learn anything new. Promoting learning requires building in a tolerance for error and a framework for forgiveness.

Source: James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner
Photo: Marquis Bureau, Virginia Beach