Rating:  Summary: Great book for leadership teams and for growing leaders Review: This is a great starting point for anyone interested in developing their leadership skills from a Biblical model. Written in story form, this book tracks the lives of three businessmen and their different approaches to leading. It shows how the Jesus model of Servant Leadership not only works for the church, but in any organization. This is a great read for groups, especially for young people just starting out in their careers or ministry.
Rating:  Summary: weLEAD Book Review from the Editor of leadingtoday.org Review: 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.
Rating:  Summary: Let there be leaders Review: This is yet another parable by Ken Blanchard in his characteristic style for driving home powerful messages. This story is around Michael the executive and his friends the minister and the professor. It clearly brings out the pressures experienced by a high-flying executive in his pursuit of success, that soon he loses his links with friends and guidance from the Lord. Business leaders tend to assume themselves as masters to get things done through lesser mortals to achieve business goals. Their egos start bloating, denying them the true unconditional love bestowed on us by the Lord. EGO is aptly described here as "Edging God out". The leadership model as described in this book is based on Jesus and, in my opinion has not been discussed in most management books on the topic. Let there be leaders....who lead as servants of the Lord. Highly recommended for all men and women who would like to lead in leading.
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