The Five Practices of
Exemplary Student Leadership
James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner, Ph.D.
Leadership is a relationship between those who aspire to lead and those who choose to follow. Sometimes the relationship is one-to-one. Sometimes it’s one too many. Regardless of the number, to emerge, grow, and thrive in these disquieting times, on and off campus, student leaders must master the dynamics of this relationship. They must learn how to mobilize others to want to struggle for shared aspirations.
Model the Way
The most important personal quality people look for and admire in a leader is personal credibility. Credibility is the foundation of leadership. If people don’t believe in the messenger, they won’t believe the message. Titles may be granted, but leadership is earned. Student leaders Model the Way by finding their voice and setting an example.
Inspire a Shared Vision
When students described their personal-best projects, they told of times during which they imagined an exciting, highly attractive future for their organization. Leaders are driven by their clear image of possibility and what their organization could become. Student leaders Inspire a Shared Vision by envisioning the future and enlisting others in a common vision.
Challenge the Process
Leaders venture out. Those who lead others to greatness seek and accept challenge. Every single personal-best leadership case we collected involved some kind of challenge. Not one person said he or she achieved a personal best by keeping things the same. Student leaders Challenge the Process by searching for opportunities and by experimenting, taking risks, and learning from mistakes. Leaders are pioneers—they are willing to step out into the unknown. The work of leaders is change, and the status quo is unacceptable to them. They search for opportunities to innovate, grow, and improve.
Enable Others to Act
Leaders know they can’t do it alone. Leadership is a team effort. Student leaders Enable Others to Act by fostering collaboration and strengthening others. In the cases we analyzed, student leaders proudly explained how teamwork, trust, and empowerment were essential to strengthening everyone’s capacity to deliver on promises. Collaboration is the master skill that enables teams, partnerships, and other alliances to function effectively. So leaders engage all those who must make the project work and, in some way, all those who must live with the results. Cooperation can’t be restricted to a small group of loyalists. Leaders make it possible for everyone to do extraordinary work.
Encourage the Heart
The climb to the top is arduous and long; people can become exhausted, frustrated, and disenchanted. They’re often tempted to give up. Genuine acts of caring uplift the spirits and draw people forward. Student leaders Encourage the Heart by recognizing contributions and celebrating values and victories. Exemplary leaders set high standards and have high expectations of their organizations. Leaders also expect the best of people and create self-fulfilling prophecies about how ordinary people can produce extraordinary results. By paying attention, offering encouragement, personalizing appreciation, and maintaining a positive outlook, student leaders stimulate, rekindle, and focus people’s energies.