Learning Leadership: The Five Fundamentals of Becoming an Exemplary Leader

More so than any other Kouzes/Posner work, this book is compelling and inspirational. And that's saying a lot considering how many people "The Leadership Challenge" has moved into transformation and action! This is a book for anyone and everyone who leads or wants to lead or thinks they cannot lead. It's for emerging leaders and the people who support them. It's for senior leaders who want their followers to have the very best leadership possible. It's for those who want to take control of their own lives and lead themselves. The book is formatted in a simple and easy-to-digest manner. The succinct stories drive home key points very effectively. The evidence behind the authors' conclusions is convincing. Best of all, the Self-Coaching steps at the end of each section are relevant and easy enough to implement. A reader can't help but be inspired and challenged to stretch after reading even a single chapter of Learning Leadership. I immediately read this book twice and gave a copy to my daughter. I'm now working my way back through portions I dog-eared: the 3 periods of self-development, getting gritty, and swallowing your pride. I've already taken notes on the parts I'll be sharing far and wide about why leadership matters and how leadership can be learned. There's a lot contained in these powerful 272 pages!

Kouzes and Posner have done an exemplary job of distilling the most important elements of leadership into a concise and easily readable work. I wish I had read this book when I started my management career 40 years ago, as it took me at least the first decade to learn the basic elements of good leadership outlined in the book. Those who have recently moved into leadership positions will garner significant value from reading this book several times. Also, for those who have been in leadership positions for quite some time, this work will provide them with many valuable lessons and reminders to make sure they have not forgotten the skills and values that made them successful.

A wonderful book for the beginning leader or a leader that needs a bit of a pick-me-up... I am a huge fan of the Kouzes and Posner leadership books and this book is much less academic than their other works but it is great for the basics. The premise of the book is repeated early and often but the foundation is becoming, desiring, and wanting to learn to become the best leader you can be. Anything written by Kouzes and Posner is worth reading but this book is best for developing the early skills or refreshing a leader's drive.

Great leadership tool

5 stars do not do this book justice. How can you learn leadership? Why not turn to the masters who have been studying, learning, writing, researching, and teaching leadership for over 30 years? They have a huge database of relevant information. They have great stories to tell. And they have the masters' ability to synthesize the essence of what you need to learn leadership. Yes, this book is for the beginning practitioner, but it is also a wonderful reminder of the timeless and universal principles for how to sharpen your leadership saw. Another priceless gem from the K&P repository. Amazon needs a new rating system.

I have used The Leadership Challenge by Kouzes and Posner for several years in teaching leadership at the undergraduate and masters level. It is a wonderful introduction to leadership due to its readability, basis in ongoing research by the authors, and overall positive tone. Due to its length I had sought an "abridged" version that would convey the same principles for an abbreviated format such as an eight week course. Learning Leadership is not what I wanted. It is an abridged version but instead of a "lean" treatment of TLC, it was a watered down version I will not repeat in usage with an abbreviated format. If you want to teach the Five Fundamentals of exemplary leadership practice, stick to The Leadership Challenge regardless of teaching format.

Fantastic book

Learning leadership is a daily marathon habit. This book dispels the myths about leadership and places leadership at the lower shelf but leads you to Mt. Everest. A must add to your library.

Good read for beginner or as a refresher. Don't think it's just about 5 things you have to do.... There is more to the book than 5 fundamentals, there are supporting behaviours that are included in the book too. The author uses repetition in the book to drive home, or summarize points made. I found it interesting, and easy to read.

Amazing book. Highly recommended for all senior managers who aspire to grow and all leaders who wish to fine tune their leadership skills

Very informative and great having key points and call to action at the end of each chapter. I it was a great read.

This is a very readable book outlining the five fundamentals in a clear but enjoyable manner. The use of repetition, examples and assignments you as the reader, learner can do provide a great basis on which to build leadership skills. The authors of this book and others, plus courses in leadership place them in high demand as teachers of leadership.

Wonderful book on Leadership. Frameworks that will help one to evolve further in ones life.