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

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

Book Description

Publication 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.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow; 1 edition (September 22, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688172393
• ISBN-13: 978-0688172398
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 1 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: #263,854 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

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

This review is from: Leadership by the Book : Tools to Transform Your Workplace (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 (Colorado Springs, CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Leadership by the Book: Tools to Transform Your Workplace (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 (Whidbey Island, WA.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leadership by the Book : Tools to Transform Your Workplace (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".