It is striking how our language reveals the visual nature of our thoughts about the future state of affairs. When we invent the future, we try to get a mental picture of what things will be like long before we… — James M. Kouzes Copy Share Image
“Visions are projections of one's fundamental beliefs and assumptions about human nature, technology, economics, science, politics, art, ethics, and the like. A vision of the future is much like a literary or musical theme. It's the paramount, persistent, and pervasive… — James M. Kouzes Copy Share Image
“Leaders mobilize others to want to struggle for shared aspirations, and this means that, fundamentally, leadership is a relationship. Leadership is a relationship between… — James M. Kouzes Copy Share Image
There is no freeway to the future, no paved highway from here to there. There is only wilderness, uncertain terrain. There are no roadmaps,… — James M. Kouzes Copy Share Image
“When people talk to us about the qualities they admire in leaders, they often use “integrity” and “authentic” as synonyms for honesty.” — James M. Kouzes Copy Share Image
“Nobody likes being told what to do or where to go, no matter how right it might be. People want to be a part… — James M. Kouzes Copy Share Image
There's nothing more demoralizing than a leader who can't clearly articulate why we're doing what we're doing. — James M. Kouzes Copy Share Image
“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… — James M. Kouzes Copy Share Image
The word "story" is short for the word "history." They both have the same root and fundamentally mean the same thing. A story is… — James M. Kouzes Copy Share Image
If we're going to be authentic in our leadership, we will have to be willing to serve, and we have to be willing to… — James M. Kouzes Copy Share Image
“If you wish to maximize your leadership effectiveness, begin with the assumption that you'll be interacting in some way with this person again in… — James M. Kouzes Copy Share Image
Leadership isn’t the private reserve of a few charismatic men and women. It’s a process ordinary people use when they’re bringing forth the best… — James M. Kouzes Copy Share Image
“If you follow someone who's universally viewed as having impeccable character and strong integrity, then you're likely to be viewed the same. If you… — James M. Kouzes Copy Share Image
You can't lead others to places you don't want to go yourself. If you don't feel a burning passion for something, how in the… — James M. Kouzes Copy Share Image
“You need to get to know who your constituents are, how they feel, and what they think. You need to repeatedly walk the halls… — James M. Kouzes Copy Share Image
“Before you can be a leader of others, you need to know clearly who you are and what your core values are. Once you… — James M. Kouzes Copy Share Image
Leaders strengthen credibility by demonstrating that they are not in it for themselves, instead they have the interests of the institution, department, or team… — James M. Kouzes Copy Share Image
