Quotes from James M. Kouzes

Exemplary leaders know that if they want to gain commitment and achieve the highest standards, they must be models of the behavior they expect of others.

Recognition is the most powerful currency you have, and it costs you nothing

Research indicates that the highest performing managers and leaders are the most open and caring. The best leaders demonstrate more affection toward others and want others to be more open with them. They are more positive and passionate, more loving and compassionate, and more grateful and encouraging than their lower performing counterparts.

Celebrations] are the punctuation marks that make sense of the passage of time; without them, there are no beginnings and endings. Life becomes an endless series of Wednesdays.

In the end, leaders don't decide who leads. Followers do.

Change is the province of leaders. It is the work of leaders to inspire people to do things differently, to struggle against uncertain odds, and to persevere toward a misty image of a better future.

When leaders are doing their best, they Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act, and Encourage the Heart.

The Truth Is That Challenge Is the Crucible for Greatness. The study of leadership is the study of how men and women guide people through uncertainty, hardship, disruption, transformation, transition, recovery, new beginnings, and other significant challenges. It's also the study of how men and women, in times of constancy and complacency, actively seek to disturb the status quo, awaken new possibilities, and pursue opportunities.

The climb to the top is arduous and steep. People become exhausted, frustrated, and disenchanted, and are often tempted to give up. Genuine acts of caring draw people forward.

Leading by example is more effective than leading by command.

Teamwork: What did you do today to lend a hand to a colleague? Respect: What did you do today to acknowledge the work of one of your colleagues? Learning: What's one mistake you made in the last week, and what did you learn from it? Continuous improvement: What have you done in the past week to improve so that you're better this week than last? Customer focus: What is one change you made in the last week that came from a customer suggestion?

If you don't believe in the messenger, you won't believe the message.

Who I am, what I do, and how I do it make a difference." And

The instrument of leadership is the self, and mastery of the art of leadership comes from mastery of the self.

When seen through the lens of a servant's heart, leadership becomes not just a job but a calling. Lives are changed for the better. Next-generation leaders are molded. Along the way, the sense of destiny God planted in each individual soul finds fulfillment.

The domain of leaders is the future. The work of leaders is change. The most significant contribution leaders make is not to today's bottom line; it is to the long-term development of people and institutions so they can adapt, change, prosper, and grow.

WHO ARE YOU?" This is the first question your constituents want you to answer for them. Your leadership journey begins when you set out to find the answer and are able to express it.

Titles are granted, but it's your behavior that earns you respect.

when you have a CEO who is so ingrained in the agency, staff, and each and every one of the clients, you only want to push yourself further." Because Barby is so transparent about her values and vision for the organization, "There's no question," according to Alison, "that people want to follow her.

Leaders mobilize others to want to struggle for shared aspirations, and this means that, fundamentally, leadership is a relationship. Leadership is a relationship between those who aspire to lead and those who choose to follow.

How did you do it?" we asked Don. "How did you make it to the top of Mount Rainier on one leg?" "One hop at a time," he said.

When you give people a choice about being a part of what's happening, they're more likely to be committed to a project. Is there a piece of something you are working on that you could open up to others? It

Interestingly, one of the most important times to listen well is when you disagree with the message, especially as it relates to how we affect others.

You have to believe, and you have to develop the skills to transmit your belief. It's your passion that brings the vision to life. If you're going to lead, you have to recognize that your enthusiasm and expressiveness are among your strongest allies in your efforts to generate commitment in others. Don't underestimate your talents.