Jim Kouzes

Jim Kouzes is the co-author with Barry Posner of the award-winning and bestselling book, "The Leadership Challenge," with over 2 million copies sold. He is the Dean’s Executive Fellow of Leadership at the Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University. "The Leadership Challenge" marked its 25th anniversary with its fifth edition in July 2012, debuting as #1 on Amazon’s leadership bestseller list. The book has been selected by FastCompany as one of the 2012 Best Business Books of the Year and appeared on the 2013 Wall Street Journal bestseller list. In 2009, it was chosen as one of the 100 best business books of all time by 800-CEO-READ. The book has been foundational in the field and is available in 22 languages. Jim and Barry have co-authored over thirty other publications including "Credibility: How Leaders Gain and Lose It, Why People Demand It" and "Encouraging the Heart." Their newest book, "The Truth About Leadership," was released in August 2010. Their books are extensively research-based, and over 400 doctoral dissertations and academic studies have been based on their original work.

Jim Kouzes is a highly regarded leadership scholar, cited by The Wall Street Journal as one of the twelve best executive educators in the U.S. He is the 2010 recipient of the Thought Leadership Award from the Instructional Systems Association, and Leadership Excellence magazine ranked him as number sixteen on its list of the Top 100 Thought Leaders over the last 10 years. In 2006, Jim was presented with the Golden Gavel, the highest honor awarded by Toastmasters International. Jim and Barry are the recipients of the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) 2009 Distinguished Contribution to Workplace Learning and Performance Award, presented in recognition of their extensive body of work and the significant impact they have had on learning and performance in the workplace. The International Management Council (IMC) honored Jim and Barry as the 2001 recipients of the prestigious Wilbur M. McFeely Award for their outstanding contributions to management and leadership education. Jim's research and teaching focus on the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership® that leaders demonstrate when performing at their best.

Jim Kouzes also has a rich history as an executive. He served as president, then CEO, and chairman of the Tom Peters Company from 1988 until 2000. Prior to his tenure at TPC, he directed the Executive Development Center at Santa Clara University from 1981 through 1987. He also founded and directed the Joint Center for Human Services Development at San Jose State University, which he ran from 1972 until 1980. Jim’s career in education began in 1967 when he served for two years in the Peace Corps. Jim believes it was on January 20, 1961, when he was first inspired to dedicate himself to leadership, having served in John F. Kennedy's Honor Guard at the Presidential Inauguration as an Eagle Scout.