|
|
BlaServ 10-11-158 |
|
|
The
Servant Leader Transforming
Your Heart, Head, Hands, & Habits Ken
Blanchard and Phil Hodges J.
Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, 2003, 123 pp. ISBN
0-8499-9659-7 |
|
This beautiful little One-Minute-Manager-style,
inspirational, gift book explores what it means to lead like Jesus. In it, Blanchard gives a very clear
Christian testimony, quotes Scripture, and uses case studies from the Bible
to illustrate various principles. The
authors' hope for the book is that you will "experience Jesus in a whole
different way. To grow to trust Him as
the perfect One to follow as you seek to lead others." (11) The section on
the heart begins with contrasting self-serving leaders versus servant
leaders. Among other things, those who
serve others are much more likely to do succession planning. Is your
leadership EGO Edging God Out or Exalting God Only? (26) We edge God out when we worship something
else, rely on something else for security, make others our major audience for
self-worth, and lose intimacy with Him and others. (29) Keep first things first (Matthew
6:33). The head
represents the leader's belief system and perspective on leadership. "No
organization will rise above the passion of the leader." (45) "Where there is no vision, the people
are unrestrained…" (Proverbs 29:18)
"Your mission needs to rouse people and get them into the act of
forgetfulness about themselves." (46)
"What business are you in that excites
people?" (47) "…too many
leaders think their full-time job is making other people feel
unimportant." (48) Your
values: What do you stand for? How do you want people to behave? (50) You know the
questions on the final exam. (What did
you do with Jesus? What did you do
with the resources you were given in life?)
(52) Self-serving
leaders assume the sheep are there for the benefit of the shepherd. All the organization's energy flows up the
hierarchy. Effective implementation
requires turning the hierarchy upside down so the customer service people,
closest to the customer, are empowered for decision making. Servant
Leadership involves setting the vision, defining and modeling operating
values, creating the follower environment, and moving to the bottom of the
hierarchy with service in mind. (59) Consider people's
development as an equal goal to their performance. (68)
"Before
something can become a habit it must first be practiced as a
discipline." "On a daily
basis, effective servant leaders recalibrate their commitment to their
vision--purpose, picture of the future, and values--through use of five
disciplines that were an integral part of what Jesus practiced during His
earthly walk:
"We all
need trusted truth-tellers, preferably those not directly impacted by what we
do, who can help us keep on course." (103) "Feedback is a gift." "Bring truth-tellers into your life,
and they'll be there if they know that you'll listen." (105) This is a
beautiful little book, by a highly respected author and business consultant,
to give to your friends in leadership. |
|
* * * * * *
Your comments and book
recommendations are welcome.
To discontinue receiving
book notes, hit Reply and put Discontinue in the text.