Leadership Practices

Exemplary Leadership Practices

Many researchers have studied the art of leadership while attempting to find the best strategies of leadership that will provide the opportunities for success as a leader. Leadership is not about one’s personality but one’s practices. Kouzes and Posner (2002) have defined what research has described as five exemplary practices for leadership; model the way, inspire a shared vision, challenge the process, enable others to act, and encourage the heart.
Five Exemplary Leadership Practices
Kousner & Posner (2002)

Model the Way

Many researchers have discussed modeling as an appropriate manner to mentor others and provide examples of effective leadership. However, before leaders can effectively model the behaviors that others expect, they first must be clear about what the guiding principles are. As a leader, people need to know what you really think and believe, which means that you have to talk about your personal values. What is important to you as a leader becomes an important component of your values system.

According to Kouzes and Posner (2002), titles are granted to individuals, however it is their behaviors that win them respect of their colleagues and stakeholders. Modeling the way is essentially about earning the respect to lead others through direct involvement.

Inspire a Shared Vision

Every organization, every social movement, all begin with a dream or vision. As little children, individuals dream or envision what they want to be when they grow up. Visions have been a part of our lives from our earliest years until today as you inspire to be a leader.

A vision has been defined as a “force that invents the future” (Kouzes and Posner, 2002, pp. 15). As a leader, there needs to be an internal desire to make something happen, to change the way something is being done, to create something new that has not been created before, and to have a picture in their minds of the end results to their vision.

One task of the leader is to breathe life into the hopes and dreams of others, providing them with the chance to see the exciting possibilities that the future holds for them. Leaders are the unity component that provide the unity of other to show them that the vision is for the common good of all of the stakeholders.

Leaders have to ignite the fire! It becomes these flames that will encourage the involvement from others in the passion of seeking success for all.

Leaders need to inspire a shared vision within the organizational structure. Leaders can only create a vision; they cannot command a commitment from their colleagues for a vision that has not been accepted. To enlist others in a vision the leader must know and understand the needs of those being lead. The leader needs to possess an intimate knowledge of people’s dreams, hopes, aspirations, visions, and values before they can enlist the support.

Challenge the Process

Leaders are adventurers and risk-takers not waiting for something to happen; rather, seeking a means to make something happen. People who are willing to step out of the box into the unknown are considered pioneers for the future. These same pioneers are the leaders that are searching for opportunities for growth, improvement, and innovation.

A key concept that most leaders have is that innovations and change all involve experimentation, risks, and failure. One way that leaders can deal with the potential risks and failures of experimentation is to approach change through incremental steps and small wins. Little wins and victories help to build the confidence of the leaders to take on the bigger challenges when they come.

Warren Bennis writes that “leaders learn by leading, and they learn best by leading in the face of obstacles. As weather shapes mountains, problems shape leaders. Difficult bosses, lack of vision and virtue in the executive offices, circumstances beyond their control, and their own mistakes have been the leaders’ basic curriculum” (Kosner & Posner, 2002, pp.17). Luck or being in the right place at the right time are not usually the situations in which leaders find themselves, but these may present opportunities to leaders.

Enable Others To Act

Leadership is a team effort. Exemplary leaders enable others to act by building trust and empowering collaborative effort among members of the organization. Leaders make it possible for others to do work and be an active stakeholder within the organization.

One of the many tasks of an effective leader is to work to make the others feel strong, capable, respected, and committed to the organization. Leaders view teamwork, trust, and empowerment as essential components of their efforts. A leader’s ability to enable others to act is essential to the success of any organization, and especially an educational facility such as a school. Colleagues were found in studies not to stick around very long if they were made to feel weak, dependent, or alienated by their leaders.

Encourage the Heart

Leaders encourage the hearts of colleagues to continue with the work they are doing in the classrooms and schools. A part of a leader’s job is to show appreciation for peoples’ contributions to the organizational goals. Recognition and celebration are about encouraging the hearts of others. Let us not forget what it feels like to receive praise and gratitude. As leaders, you are encouraged by others in this same manner that you need to have the capacity to encourage your subordinates and/or colleagues.

Here are some examples of how leaders can implement exemplary practices in each of the five categories.

*Model The Way*	1.Find your voice by clarifying your personal values.2.Set the example by aligning with shared values.
*Inspire A Shared Vision*	3.Envision the future by imagining exciting and enabling possibilities.4.Enlist others in a common vision by appealing to shared inspirations.
*Challenge the Process*	5.Search for opportunities by seeking innovative ways to change, grow, and improve.6.Experiment and take risks by constantly generating small wins and learning from mistakes.
*Enable Others to Act*	7.Foster collaboration by promoting cooperative goals and building trust.8.Strengthen others by sharing power and discretion.
*Encourage the Heart*	9.Recognize contributions by showing appreciation for individual excellence.10. Celebrate the values and victories by creating a spirit of community.