Customer Reviews

Leadership by the Book : Tools to Transform Your Workplace

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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".

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In this book, Ken, Bill, and Phil help us to see how to blend faith and the workplace. This book is about the great opportunity that many Christians have in the marketplace to make their faith come alive. Because this book has a spiritual base it will help ministers to assist laity who want to see that their life's calling has a spriitual dimension to it.

Leadership By The Book involves being a servant first, and a leader second. "Leaders who are servants first will assume leadership only if they see it as the best way they can serve. They're 'called' to lead, rather than driven, because they naturally want to be helpful." [page 42]

I enjoyed the focus on servant leadership. Servant leaders have a consumer or customer mindset because they rejoice not in their own success, but in the success of those they serve. For servant leaders, church growth is not the point. The point is the successful discipleship journey of an increasing number of people.

Persons of all faiths will enjoy the principles and the classic Blanchard storytelling appproach.

This is a unique book in both its purpose and style. Blanchard, Hybels and Hodges set out to teach servant-leadership by returning to its religious roots. Leadership by the Book is written in the form of a parable or story. It portrays the interaction of three different leaders: a professor, minister and young business professional. The purpose of the book is to teach management skills and ethics by examining the example of Christianity's founder, Jesus Christ. As the authors state in the introduction, "We believe there is a perfect practitioner and teacher of effective leadership. That person is Jesus of Nazareth, who embodied the heart and methods of a fully committed and effective servant leader."



However, this book is not intended to be either sectarian or a promotional treatise on Christianity and its founder. The authors continue, "In this book we invite students of leadership from all faiths, cultures and experience to take another look at the leadership genius of Jesus." Throughout the text Blanchard, Hybels and Hodges endeavor to cite various examples of Jesus Christ as a source for learning valuable lessons in effective leadership. They also suggest basic strategies for bringing values and vision to any organization.



Many books written on servant leadership are authored by intellectuals who make this essential philosophy difficult to grasp and appreciate. This book is different. Leadership by the Book can be called a primer on servant leadership and is written in an easy to understand linguistic style. Don't let the number of pages fool you. With large print and generous word spacing, it can easily be read in one or two sittings.