Topic > Compare five exemplary leadership practices

To adequately analyze the similarities and differences in coaching leaders who need to be more effective in an organizational context and those who want to be more effective as individual self-leaders, we must first delve into the difference between "leadership" and "management". Leadership, defined as the process of influencing people and providing an environment to achieve individual, team or organizational goals, is based on a very personal, active and imaginative state. Leadership sees goals arise from desire as it seeks new approaches to old problems. Management, or effectiveness within an organizational context, refers to the act or skill set of controlling and making decisions about a company, department, or team. Kouzes and Posner's "Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership" paint a narrow version of achieving this goal. Exemplary leadership, they believe, is about modeling the way, inspiring a shared vision, challenging the process, empowering others to act, and encouraging the heart. By modeling the path, leaders can get involved and demonstrate their commitment. By inspiring a shared vision, leaders can have and create a vision for change by eloquently sharing that vision with others. Challenging the process is about using change and innovation, strategies that are extremely effective in leading individuals towards a greater goal. Promoting teamwork and encouraging others to exceed their expectations is part of empowering others to take action. Encouraging the heart promotes and inspires a strong sense of community within the organization. Within Level 1, a highly capable individual makes productive contributions through talent, knowledge, skill, and good work habits. In Level 2, a contributing team member contributes individual skills to achieving team goals and works effectively with others in a team setting. In Level 3, the competent manager organizes people and resources towards the effective and efficient pursuit of predetermined objectives. Within Level 4, the effective leader catalyzes commitment and vigorous pursuit of a clear and compelling vision, stimulating higher standards of performance. Finally, in Level 5, the Level 5 Executive builds lasting greatness through a paradoxical blend of personal humility and professional will. By progressing along the chain, the individual acquires both self-leadership skills and management skills within a group or organization. While some aspects of the levels focus more on management skills rather than individual leadership skills, the progression includes everyone