Mark Edward Brown's Blog

Book Review of “A Leader’s Legacy” by author’s Jim Kouzes and Berry Posner

A Leader’s Legacy is about exactly that, the legacy that a leader leaves behind both in his or her personal life and or business life, for some exceptional people business and personal life may be one and the same.

There are four parts to A Leader’s Legacy, they are:

Part 1 – Significance
Part 2 – Relationships
Part3 – Aspirations
Part4 – Courage

Each part has 5 chapters except part 4 which has 6 chapters.  Each chapter is easy to read the longest chapter being only 8 pages long.  Do not dismiss the brevity of each chapter because this book will engage your mind.

Do to my life and career experiences with leadership I could easily relate with virtually every subject presented in this book. 

My favorite portion of each part are as follows:

The best except from part 1 on Significance is found on page 36 which reads:

“Whatever your role in life may be, you make a difference.  There is a 100 percent chance that you can be a role model for leadership.  There is a 100 percent chance that you can influence someone else’s performance.  There is a 100 percent chance that you can affect what someone else thinks, says and does.  There is a 100 percent chance that you will make a difference in other people’s lives.”

The best excerpt from part 2 on Relationships is found on page 57 which reads:

“We will work harder and more effectively for people we like.  And we will like them in direct proportion to how they make us feel.”  –Irwin Federman

The best excerpt from part 3 on Aspirations is found on page 90 which reads:

“leadership development is fist and foremost self-development.  Becoming a leader begins with an exploration of the inner territory as we search to find our own authentic voice.  Leaders must decide on what matters in life, before they can live a life that matters.”

The best except from part 4 on Courage is found throughout the entire 6 final chapters of the book.  I can not paraphrase the lessons learned and wisdom shared because there is not enough room in this review.

I liked this book, it was easy to read, it was thought provoking and there is nothing about it that I would change, in fact this read motivates me to read the other works on Leadership that Mr. Kouzes and Posner have written

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to lead effectively and leave a lasting impression as well.  Leaders at all levels can learn from this book.

This is a Five Star read. – Two Thumbs Up. – My Highest Recommendation

Mark Edward Brown – International Success Strategist