Kouzes is a well-renowned leadership scholar with executive experience. From 1988 to 2000, he served as president, and then CEO and chairman of the Tom Peters Company. He also led the Executive Development Center at Santa Clara University from 1981 to 1987. His distinctions include receiving the Golden Gavel from Toastmasters International (their highest honor) in 2006 and the 2010 Thought Leadership Award from the Instructional Systems Association, and being cited as one of the 12 best executive educators in the United States by The Wall Street Journal.