The Radical Promise: Mastering the Art of Doing What You Say You Will Do - Hardcover

by Steve Farber (Author), James M. Kouzes (Author), Barry Z. Posner (Author)

Story-driven framework for leaders to rebuild credibility when they fail to deliver on their promises

The Radical Promise delivers a story-driven framework for leaders to increase their trust and credibility or rebuild it when their actions don't match their words. The storyline and concepts are equally applicable to every person, regardless of title or position, who is challenged to keep promises and commitments to make sure that what they "say" (promise) is what they do.

● Specific leadership challenges that make it difficult to match actions with words

● Why DWYSYWD (doing what you say you will do) is the foundation of how credibility is established, no matter the specifics of any situation

● Steps that can be taken to rebuild and polish one's brand, as the characters discover and authors explain

The Radical Promise is an entertaining and thought-provoking book for today's leaders, as well as those aspiring to be or become even better leaders, seeking key lessons they can apply to their own organizations and professional lives.

Front Jacket

Trust is built--and broken--by whether leaders follow through on what they say they will do. James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner, co-authors of the bestselling The Leadership Challenge, join Steve Farber, bestselling author of The Radical Leap, to present a story-driven framework for DWYSYWD--Doing What You Say You Will Do--the principle at the heart of credibility. Together, they show how aligning actions with words sustains reputations.

The Radical Promise follows a main character who experiences an alignment failure--a gap between promises made and actions taken--and must confront the consequences. Through this narrative, the authors reveal the practical steps anyone can take to regain trust, restore credibility, and repair damaged relationships. The storyline makes the concepts accessible and immediately applicable, illustrating how commitments shape perceptions and how broken promises erode even the strongest professional and personal bonds.

Beyond the narrative, the book provides a clear framework for rebuilding one's brand after a credibility breakdown. The authors detail the specific consequences that follow unmet commitments and outline a deliberate process for realigning words with actions. Drawing on their combined experience advising corporations, governments, and nonprofits worldwide, Farber, Kouzes, and Posner offer actionable guidance for restoring trust that applies to organizations and individuals across every sector and leadership level.

Written for leaders at every level--as well as those aspiring to lead--The Radical Promise speaks to anyone challenged to keep promises and commitments, regardless of title or position. Business professionals seeking to strengthen workplace culture, protect their reputations, and build lasting trust will find a proven approach to ensuring that what they say is what they do, in both professional and personal contexts.

Back Jacket

Praise for THE RADICAL PROMISE

"The Radical Promise is a masterclass in the magnetism and magic of integrity. Farber, Kouzes, and Posner deliver a soul-stirring 'parable-plus' that transforms accountability from a weary duty into a radical competitive advantage. It is a brilliant, heart-centered compass for any leader eager to turn hollow talk into a solid walk."
-- CHIP R. BELL, author of Inside Your Customer's Imagination

"Shelves are filled with good books on leadership, but I 'promise' you this is one you won't want to put down. The Radical Promise will help you learn how to become the leader people follow because they want to, not because they must."
-- VICE ADMIRAL SANDRA STOSZ, U.S. Coast Guard (Ret.), former Superintendent of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and author of Breaking Ice and Breaking Glass

"Farber, Kouzes, and Posner bring to life the essential truth that doing what you say you will do is not just good practice; it is the very foundation of effective leadership. The Radical Promise is a powerful and timely reminder that trust is built in the simple yet profound act of making and keeping commitments."
-- STEPHEN M. R. COVEY, New York Times and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Speed of Trust and Trust & Inspire

"The Radical Promise asks leaders to drop the stories, the blame, and the excuses--and focus on the only thing that builds trust: consistent follow-through. This timely message applies across industries, roles, and cultures. When leaders internalize this idea, everything changes."
-- CY WAKEMAN, Thought Leader, New York Times bestselling author of No Ego and Reality-Based Leadership

"Holding ourselves accountable can be a complex goal to achieve. Steve Farber, Jim Kouzes, and Barry Posner show us how to achieve this hidden desire through a fun parable we can all relate to. Read The Radical Promise and learn how to be true to yourself--and everyone else!"
-- KEN BLANCHARD, Co-author of The One Minute Manager(R) and Simple Truths of Leadership

"Based on decades of real-life experiences with leaders, the authors spin a story about the ups and downs of leadership. Not just entertaining, but informative about how people win and lose credibility, and how they build it back. There are lessons here for everyone, regardless of your position."
-- NILOFER MERCHANT, Co-founder of The Intangible Labs and author of Our Best Work

Author Biography

STEVE FARBER is president and CEO of The Extreme Leadership Institute, an organization devoted to cultivating leaders in business, nonprofits, and education. A member of The Transformational Leadership Council, he also serves on the nonprofit boards of Community Alliance for Youth Success, and Art as Mentorship.

JAMES M. KOUZES is a Fellow of the Doerr Institute for New Leaders at Rice University and formerly the Dean's Executive Fellow of Leadership, Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University. He has lectured around the world to corporations, governments, and nonprofits, bringing decades of research and practice to the study of leadership.

BARRY Z. POSNER is Accolti Professor of Leadership at the Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University, where he also served as Dean from 1997 to 2009. An accomplished scholar, he conducts leadership workshops and seminars around the world for organizations across every sector.