The Leadership Challenge® Model

The Leadership Challenge® evolved out of a research project started in 1983 by Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner who wanted to know what people did when they were at their "personal best" in leading others. Their research revealed five practices common to leaders who make extraordinary things happen. It also led to their first book The Leadership Challenge and a quantitative instrument that measures the leadership practices they uncovered—The Leadership Practices Inventory® or LPI.

Today The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership® along with their 10 download-articlecommitments and 30 behaviors are the basis of The Leadership Challenge® Model, the most recognized standard of leadership excellence.

The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership®

PRACTICES

 10 COMMITMENTS

 30 BEHAVIORS
 MODEL THE WAY

1. CLARIFY VALUES...
by finding your voice and
affirming shared values

2. SET THE EXAMPLE...
by aligning actions with
shared values
  

 • Sets a personal example of what is expected
• Makes certain that people adhere to
agreed-on standards
• Follows through on promises and commitments
• Asks for feedback on how his/her actions affect people's performance
• Builds consensus around organization's values.
• Is clear about his/her philosophy of leadership 
 inspire a shared vision

3. ENVISION THE FUTURE...
by imagining exciting and
ennobling possibilities

4. ENLIST OTHERS IN A
COMMON VISION...
by appealing to shared
aspirations

 • Talks about future trends influencing our work
• Describes a compelling image of the future
• Appeals to others to share dream of the future
• Shows others how their interests can be realized
• Paints "big picture" of group aspirations
• Speaks with conviction about meaning of work 
 challenge the process

5. SEARCH FOR OPPORTUNITIES...
by seizing the initiative
and by looking outward
for innovative ways
to improve.

6. EXPERIMENT AND TAKE RISKS...
by constantly generating
small wins and learning
from experience.

 • Seeks challenging opportunities to test skills
• Challenges people to try new approaches
• Searches outside organization for innovative ways to improve
• Asks “What can we learn?”
• Makes certain that goals, plans, and milestones
are set
• Experiments and takes risks
 enable others to act

7. FOSTER COLLABORATION...
by building trust and
facilitating relationships.

8. STRENGTHEN OTHERS...
by increasing self-determination
and developing
competence.

 • Develops cooperative relationships
• Actively listens to diverse points of view
• Treats people with dignity and respect
• Supports decisions other people make
• Gives people choice about how to do their work
• Ensures that people grow in their jobs
 encourage the heart

9. RECOGNIZE CONTRIBUTIONS...
by showing appreciation
for individual excellence.

10. CELEBRATE THE VALUES
AND VICTORIES...
by creating a spirit of community.

 • Praises people for a job well done
• Expresses confidence in people's abilities
• Creatively rewards people for their contributions
• Recognizes people for commitment to shared values
• Finds ways to celebrate accomplishments
• Gives team members appreciation and support