Leadership by the Book: Tools to Transform Your Workplace [Abridged, Audiobook] [Audio CD]

Kenneth Blanchard (Author), Bill Hybels (Author), Phil Hodges (Author), Sam Freed (Reader)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 17, 2007

Best-selling authors Kenneth Blanchard, Bill Hybels, and Phil Hodges offer a unique, compelling, and paradigm-shifting model that effectively interweaves successful leadership methods with character development principles based on the teachings of history's most influential leader, Jesus Christ. Told in the parable format of The One Minute Manager and Raving Fans, Leadership by the Book offers unexpected and exceptional answers to crucial leadership issues today - helping leaders in all walks of life to fulfill their calling and help others do the same.

Is there any common ground between leadership success strategies on one hand, and the Biblical principles regarding character on the other?

Yes! And this new book - from three of America's most successful and compassionate leaders - clearly and creatively explains the answer. With unique value for leaders of all kinds, Leadership by the Book interweaves character development principles with successful leadership methods - using the example and words of Jesus as the catalyst and framework for it all.

The framework for the sound and practical teachings of this unique and powerful book is a story about three acquaintances who each have something vital to learn. One is a businessman who, after years of fabulous success, finally comes face to face with the emptiness in his soul. His struggle becomes critical when a heart attack leaves him hovering near death. This crisis brings together two figures from his past - a teacher of leadership strategies, and a successful pastor. Their renewed interaction leads them all to deeper discoveries of the value of biblical leadership principles.

In Leadership by the Book readers - particularly company presidents, corporate leaders, middle managers, department heads, parents, coaches, community leaders, pastors, lay leaders, and others - will learn the very practical side of Christ's teachings on leadership. And they'll learn that truly effective leadership cannot be divorced from the character issues that Jesus taught.

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 --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Kenneth Blanchard, Ph.D., is the co-author of The One Minute Manager, Gung Ho!, and eleven other blockbuster books. His titles have combined sales of more than twelve million copies in more than twenty-five languages. A sought-after speaker, author, and business consultant, Blanchard is one of the most insightful and influential leaders in business today. He and his wife, Dr. Marjorie Blanchard, founded Blanchard Training and Development, Inc., a full-service global management training and consulting firm, in their hometown of San Diego, California in 1979.

Bill Hybels is senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois - a congregation that has grown to more than 16,000 under his effective leadership. He has written a number of best-selling books including Who You Are When No One's Looking, Too Busy Not to Pray, Honest to God?, Becoming a Contagious Christian, and many more. A popular conference speaker around the world, he and his wife, Lynne, reside in Barrington with their two children.

Phil Hodges has held a variety of human resource leadership staff positions for the past thirty years. An advocate for older people in the workplace, he also has extensive experience in interpersonal dispute resolution and is certified by the County of Los Angeles as a mediator. Phil has used his leadership skills in numerous volunteer activities. Most recently, he completed six years as chairman of his home church, which has a congregation of 3,000. Phil and his wife, Jane, reside in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Random House Audio; Abridged edition (July 17, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0739343335
• ISBN-13: 978-0739343333
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.5 x 5.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 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: #1,325,904 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".