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

James M. Kouzes · Barry Z. Posner

May 2010 · Ascent Audio · Narrated by Erik Synnestvedt

About this audiobook

Many people assume that money is the mainstay of motivation. But in truth, the desire to accomplish extraordinary things is linked to basic human need: We all want to be respected for who we are and recognized for the things we do. While many leaders know this from experience, few know how best to act on it. In Encouraging the Heart, the best-selling authors of The Leadership Challenge team up again to reflect upon one of the most elusive aspects of leadership-caring-and offer listeners a deeper understanding of how and why it works. More importantly, they extend a set of principles, practices, and examples that show how to energize people to excel and then reach for even greater heights. Kouzes and Posner maintain that people will aspire to higher standards of performance when they are genuinely appreciated for their dedication and publicly recognized for their extraordinary achievements. And through the uplifting stories of ordinary people in leadership roles, the authors demonstrate just how this is done. They also offer over one hundred and fifty ways listeners can immediately apply the process themselves. Powerful and personal, Encouraging the Heart is filled with practical ideas for helping others believe in themselves, celebrate their uniqueness, and discover their own value. It shows leaders how they can find their voice and their hearts and, through caring and courage, mobilize people to personal and organizational greatness. In short, it's a work both inspirational and instructional that shows how to master one of the most difficult and valuable leadership skills of all.

About the author

James M. Kouzes is a fellow of the Doerr Institute for New Leaders at Rice University and lectures on leadership around the world to corporations, governments, and nonprofits.

Barry Z. Posner is an Endowed Professor of Leadership and chair of the Management & Entrepreneurship Department, Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University. An accomplished scholar, he facilitates leadership workshops and seminars worldwide.