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.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ken Blanchard, PhD, is one of the most influential leadership experts in the world. He has co-authored 60 books, including Raving Fans and Gung Ho! (with Sheldon Bowles). His groundbreaking works have been translated into over 40 languages and their combined sales total more than 21 million copies. In 2005 he was inducted into Amazon's Hall of Fame as one of the top 25 bestselling authors of all time. The recipient of numerous leadership awards and honors, he is cofounder with his wife, Margie, of The Ken Blanchard Companies, a leading international training and consulting firm.
REVIEWS:
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
