Ken Blanchard, Bill Hybels, and Phil Hodges worked together to create an insightful and helpful allegorical story to help leaders understand the value of true leadership and striving daily to follow the model that was put on display by Jesus as revealed in the four Gospels in the New Testament.
This story works through the realities that individuals from all professions have a lot to learn and put into practice. The leadership taught throughout this book speaks of the need to lead with your head, heart, and hands. Leadership is not just knowing what to do or how to do it. It is important to meet people where they are in life. It is also important to pursue leadership outside of you profession or career. We all have families, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and many others for whom we serve as an example.
Each of us are individuals, with unique strengths and weaknesses at various levels. As we evaluate our role in leadership we should look to understand four separate aspects.
Purpose: Tells you what business you are in, and defines the fundamental reasons why you exist as an organization.
Operating Values: Determines how people should behave when they are working on the purpose.
Image: Explains what thing would be like if everything were running as planned.
Goal: Where do you want people’s energy to be focused right now?
As a result of reading this book, I have kept in mind the heart potion of leadership. I think (you can ask others if I am right) that I know how to do the job required by the team I get to lead. I believe that I am fairly good at completing the tasks required to fulfill my position. I know that I need to be better and the relationship and personal touch for those to whom I am responsible.
I recommend this book for everyone who is interested in improving themselves as a leader. As with any book on leadership, if you are not personally engaged to seek out your own improvement you will not benefit from the insights provided.
Note: I realize that there are accusations of misconduct by Bill Hybels. This post is not intended to be an endorsement of any level of misconduct of which Bill is accused. It is only the context of this book that is being reviewed here.