Turning Adversity Into Opportunity

By James M. KOUZES and Barry Z. Posner

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wiley
• Release date: May 5, 2014
• ISBN: 9781118914311

Book preview

Contents

Introduction: Strategies for Turning Adversity Into Opportunity

Strategy Number One: Broaden the Context

Strategy Number Two: Defy the Verdict

Strategy Number Three: Fully Commit to What’s Important

Strategy Number Four: Take Charge of Change

Strategy Number Five: Engage Others

Strategy Number Six: Show You Care

Conclusion: No Shortage of Opportunities to Make a Difference

About the Authors

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End User License Agreement

List of Illustrations

Figure 1 The Impact of Values Clarity on Commitment

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Other Titles by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner

The Leadership Challenge: How to Make Extraordinary Things Happen in Organizations

Making Extraordinary Things Happen in Asia: Applying the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership

Credibility: How Leaders Gain and Lose It, Why People Demand It

The Truth About Leadership: The No-Fads, Heart of the Matter Facts You Need to Know

A Leader’s Legacy

Encouraging the Heart: A Leader’s Guide to Rewarding and Recognizing Others

Great Leadership Creates Great Workplaces (e-short)

Finding the Courage to Lead (e-short)

Turning Adversity Into Opportunity

James M. Kouzes

Barry Z. Posner

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Copyright © 2014 by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner.

All rights reserved.

Published by Jossey-Bass

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No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except as permitted under Section 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without either the prior written permission of the publisher, or authorization through payment of the appropriate per-copy fee to the Copyright Clearance Center, Inc., 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, 978-750-8400, fax [phone], or on the Web at www.copyright.com. Requests to the publisher for permission should be addressed to the Permissions Department, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030, 201-748-6011, fax [phone], or online at www.wiley.com/go/permissions.

Limit of Liability/Disclaimer of Warranty: While the publisher and author have used their best efforts in preparing this book, they make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this book and specifically disclaim any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. No warranty may be created or extended by sales representatives or written sales materials. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation. You