Turning Adversity Into Opportunity - by James M Kouzes & Barry Z Posner (Paperback)

About the Book

"Leaders are no strangers to challenge. Over the last few years leaders have experienced unprecedented layoffs, dismal sales, dwindling retirement accounts, and the bankruptcy of once-heralded institutions. They've been threatened by sequestration, the possibility of a government shutdown, and the messy transition to a new healthcare mandate. Trust in leaders has plummeted, engagement scores are stuck in neutral or worse, and any recovery seems tepid at best. Yet even as the challenges mount, the best leaders remain resilient in the face of adversity.In this new work, Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner, authors of The Leadership Challenge, explore how leaders can bounce back from adversity and disruption in uncertain times--times like the ones we're experiencing now. Based on their years of research on exemplary leadership, Jim and Barry share: Six strategies exemplary leaders employ during adverse and challenging circumstances to create opportunities for making extraordinary things happen. One practical action you can take immediately to enact each of these strategies. 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. Sometimes leaders have to shake things up. Other times they just have to grab hold of the adversity that surrounds them. Challenge is the crucible of greatness, and whether challenge comes from the outside or the inside, leaders make things happen"--

From the Back Cover

Leaders are no strangers to challenges; in recent years, businesses have experienced unprecedented layoffs, dismal sales, dwindling retirement accounts, and the bankruptcy of once-heralded institutions. While these uncertain times are difficult, they also provide the opportunity for great leadership. Over three decades of research, Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner, the bestselling authors of The Leadership Challenge, have asked thousands of leaders to describe their personal leadership best. Across the board, people say their greatest moments arise out of the most difficult periods of their careers.

Turning Adversity Into Opportunity reveals how leaders at any level can transform difficult circumstances into opportunities for growth and success. Kouzes and Posner offer a clear set of six actionable strategies, showing how extraordinary leaders navigate through uncertainty, hardship, disruption, transformation, transition, recovery, new beginnings, and other significant challenges. Exemplary leadership disrupts the status quo, and Kouzes and Posner show how to awaken and pursue new possibilities and opportunities, no matter what the circumstances.

Wherever you find yourself in your organization or community, Turning Adversity Into Opportunity will help you embrace the chance within any challenge to make a real difference.

About the Author

JAMES KOUZES is the Dean's Executive Fellow of Leadership, Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University.

BARRY POSNER is Accolti Professor of Leadership and former Dean (1997-2009) of the Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University.

Kouzes and Posner are the authors of The Leadership Challenge, Credibility, The Truth About Leadership, A Leader's Legacy, Encouraging the Heart, and The Student Leadership Challenge, among many other works. They also developed the highly acclaimed Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI). For more information, visit www.leadershipchallenge.com.