Discussion Responses

We do see examples that contradict with Kouzes and Posner’s five practices of leadership. A lot of managers are very good at giving employees a talk about showing up late to work or respecting each other or any other discouraged practice at the workplace, but very few actually are able to lead by example and Model the Way. In a lot of Workplaces, meetings are conducted to stress the importance of achieving goals and numbers versus getting to paint the big picture and inspiring a Shared Vision where the members of the group are empowered to see themselves within the big picture or the vision.

A lot of businesses face challenges and obstacles that need to be resolved through taking risks and finding opportunities to improve.

Q2. Read the below paragraph and write what you think about it. If possible give any real example.

When you’re leading a business or an organization, you’re leading people. Many leaders work to have relationships with their employees. Taking them out for coffee and getting to know them better is common, an important element in being a leader.

Secondly the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership approaches leadership as a measurable, learnable, and teachable set of behaviors. After conducting hundreds of interviews, reviewing thousands of case studies, and analyzing more than two million survey questionnaires to understand those times when leaders performed at their personal best, there emerged five practices common to making extraordinary things happen.

The Five Practices are:

1. Model The Way – Clarify values by finding your voice and affirming shared values. Set an example by aligning actions with shared values.

2. Inspire A Shared Vision – Envision the future by imagining exciting and enabling possibilities. Enlist others in a common vision by appealing to shared aspirations.

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

4. Enable Others To Act – Foster collaboration by building trust and facilitating relationships. Strength others by increasing self-determination and developing competence.

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

Q3. Read the below paragraph and write what you think about it. If possible give any real example.

Challenge the process was mentioned as a very important part of leadership is because it is related to a crucial qualification as a leader: creativity and innovation. These are the main driving force of the development of a company especially for a lot of high technology companies. Process allows us to follow guideline and do things better. However, it can also be a frame that restricts people to be creative and open minded. So, people should always question their process to see if anything prevents the development and how to improve the process. Challenge the process does mean no process but focus on make it better. In any company, some changes on the process are great since they make our work more efficient. Some just cause more chaos and confusions for employees.