Leadership by the Book: Tools to Transform Your Workplace [Hardcover]

Ken Blanchard (Author), Bill Hybels (Author), Phil Hodges (Author)

Book Description

Release date: September 22, 1999

In today's changing business world, leaders face more challenges than ever before, whether from increased competition, new ways of reaching customers, or motivating people.

Leadership by the Book is an exceptional new book, brimming with insights, ideas, tools, and tactics for becoming a successful leader. Written in the parable format of Ken Blanchard's bestselling The One Minute Manager. and Raving Fans, it tells the story of a professor and a minister who school a young professional in management skills and ethics. Citing Jesus as a source for practical lessons in effective leadership, the authors explore the concept of "servant leadership" and offer simple strategies for bringing vision and values to any organization. Individuals will learn how to:

• Achieve goals without sacrificing character or faith
• Inspire and sustain commitment and others to give their best
• Build teamwork and celebrate successes
• Find personal passion and meaning in work

Sure to be required reading for managers and employees, Leadership by the Book can also be applied in day-to-day life by parents, coaches, entrepreneurs, and community leaders everywhere.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The idea here is to promote leadership in the workplace based on the examples set by Christ in the New Testament. The concept of servant-leadership makes sense in this context, for Jesus recruited his disciples to carry on his teachings in his absence, and his method was wildly successful. When the authors break down the approaches step-by-step, their presentation goes astray by trying to shoehorn a dramatic story around the solid business advice. Eventually, the authors figure out that business people are more likely to be affected by the methods of the servant-leadership approach than characters enjoying a barbecue at the lake, and there are some helpful charts and graphs tracing the development of the mostly practical business approach. Short and quick to read as it is, the book could have been more concise and could have relied more on the practical use of its methods. Joe Collins

About the Author

Ken Blanchard is an international bestselling author and motivational speaker whose books, including The One Minute Manager^®, The One Minute Entrepreneur^™, and Leading at a Higher Level, have sold more than eighteen million copies in thirty languages. He lives in San Diego, California.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow; 1 edition (September 22, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688172393
• ISBN-13: 978-0688172398
• Product Dimensions: 5.7 x 1 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #312,889 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Makes me smile with each page October 8, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

Who ever thought that a book focusing on leadership, with a title that tells me I'll recieve "tools" would be such a gift. This book made me smile with each page that I read. And like a good novel, I couldn't put it down. The writing style drew me into the message and taught me better than any book with the stereotypical "textbook" message. A great example of what teaching by example can do -- for those of us who are wired that way. I saw friends and business associates in these pages and have caught a fire to be the best leader I can possibly be. The gaunlet has been thrown out.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Boring story, poorly written but with a great message November 26, 1999

By Todd Hudnall

Format:Hardcover

When I saw that Hybels, Blanchard and Hodges had collaborated on a "novel style" book about leadership, I was thrilled. Three men worked together on the book but they needed a fourth, a novelist. The story was poorly written, boring and couldn't keep my interest. I expected so much more from Hybels and Blanchard. At the same time, if you get passed the poor writing and boring story line, the content is exceptional. My recommendation is for the reader to skip to the checkpoints beginning on page 171. They are valuable and worth the cost of the book. Servant leadership is greatly needed and seldom understood. This book will help define it, explain it and assist you in putting it into action.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible Book April 3, 2000

By Dawn Shumate

Format:Hardcover

The concept of servant leadership is the primary focus of this book, which is nothing short of inspirational. The authors use Jesus Christ as the ultimate example of vision and passion. Even for "non-religious" types, it's an important message. Well worth the investment of money to purchase and the investment of time to read...in fact, I keep re-reading sections for a "booster shot".

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My Leadership Style Changes Today, as I finish this book October 30, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

As a big fan of Blanchard and with great respect for Hybels, I was thrilled to be made aware of this collaborative effort. Not knowing initially the subject matter of the book, I was thrilled to find it was just what I was looking for with regards to leadership. Until reading this book, I didn't realize that the leaders for whom I had the greatest respect, were those with servant's hearts. My own personal struggle with leadership has been with the non-servant heart, and I'm excited that Blanchard & Hybels use the Greatest Leader Ever as the demonstrative character. This is a must read for those who find themselves newly appointed to leadership positions AND those who've been leading for a long time. This work has more than demonstrated that my future success as a leader depends on my heart moreso than my behavior. When my heart is in the right place, my behavior will follow.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the best book on leadership I have ever read! November 2, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

For many years I have read different books on leadership. I have often left confused about being a servant and being a leader, which is what I want to do. This book makes these two roles solidify in my mind.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent primer for servant leadership October 4, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

Ken Blanchard's allegorical style leads the reader through a case study as we learn about the leadership style of Jesus. The story helps us get beyond the typical studies, charts and graphs of many leadership books and allows us to touch on the spirit and heart of true leadership.

This book will appeal to those persons who are intuitive and feeling. Ken leaves out the data and speaks to the heart of leadership.

A significantly different Christian leadership book than those put forth by John Maxwell.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Servant Leadership May 18, 2000

By "kohth"

Format:Hardcover

Excellent book. The concept of servant leadership although not a new one is one tied in very well in this book by the authors. Having Jesus as a model of leadership just enforces the whole principle and shows the type of impact that can result out of the practise of servant leadership. This book has really encouraged me, to bring out the best in my employees and also allowed me the freedom to use all my potential to the utmost. Would recommend it highly.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Insights, Unusual Format January 27, 2003

By David R. Bess VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Perhaps I was just expecting too much with a team of authors the likes of Blanchard and Hybels. Each man is well-respected and highly regarded for his leadership skills and his writing abilities. I was anticipating a powerful collection of biblically-based leadership nuggets. What I found was a lengthy parable about a Christian businessman re-evaluating his life with the help of a seasoned minister and a leadership professor.

This book is an easy read -- I finished it in just a couple of sittings. Technical leadership jargon and sociological statistics aren't present in this volume, and their absence is a welcome relief for busy executives. The entire concept of merging spiritual principles with management principles is an excellent one. I also enjoyed the comradery depicted among the three men -- it serves as an inspiration for Christian men to seek and to find accountability partners from whom they can learn and grow.

I recommend this book to all Christian leaders, whether their vocation is in the church, the university, or the business world. There are some good insights here, once the reader gets past the unusual parable presentation. The format isn't bad -- it's just different.