Leading at a Higher Level

About the Author

Ken Blanchard, an esteemed management expert and co-author of the renowned "The One Minute Manager," has significantly impacted the field of leadership and management. As the Chief Spiritual Officer of The Ken Blanchard Companies, an international management training and consulting firm he co-founded in 1979, Blanchard has dedicated over 25 years to helping leaders and organizations excel. His profound insights into leadership and his ability to communicate complex ideas in an accessible manner have made him a best-selling author, with more than 18 million books sold worldwide.

Main Idea

"Leading at a Higher Level" by Ken Blanchard brings together a wealth of knowledge and experience in leadership to guide managers and leaders in achieving outstanding, sustainable results. Blanchard emphasizes the importance of humility, focusing on the greater good, and creating a culture of empowerment. He advocates for a leadership style that goes beyond short-term gains to build long-term success and satisfaction for both individuals and organizations. Through a comprehensive examination of key leadership principles, Blanchard aims to equip leaders with the tools to create high-performing organizations and "raving fans" among their customers.

Table of Contents

1. What is Leadership?
2. Is Your Organization High Performing?
3. The Power of Vision
4. Serving Customers at a Higher Level
5. Empowerment is the Key
6. Situational Leadership: The Integrating Concept
7. Self Leadership: The Power Behind Empowerment
8. Partnering for Performance
9. Situational Team Leadership
10. Organizational Leadership
11. Leading Change
12. Servant Leadership
13. Determining Your Leadership Point of View

What is Leadership?

For many years, leadership was seen purely as an influence process aimed at goal accomplishment. However, Blanchard redefines leadership as the capacity to influence others by unleashing their power and potential for the greater good. He stresses that leadership is not just about achieving results but doing so with respect, care, and fairness for everyone involved. Leadership at a higher level transcends personal gain and goal achievement, focusing instead on long-term results and human satisfaction. This holistic approach ensures that the development of people is just as important as performance outcomes.

“When you are leading at a higher level, you have a 'both/and' philosophy. The development of people is of equal importance to performance.” - Ken Blanchard

Is Your Organization High Performing?

Blanchard emphasizes the importance of creating high-performing organizations by aiming for the right target: the triple bottom line. This involves being the provider of choice, the employer of choice, and the investment of choice. High-performing organizations (HPOs) focus on their customers, employees, and investors simultaneously. Blanchard introduces the HPO SCORES model to illustrate the six elements that define such organizations: Shared Information and Communication, Compelling Vision, Ongoing Learning, Relentless Focus on Customer Results, Energizing Systems and Structures, and Shared Power and High Involvement. By embodying these characteristics, organizations can achieve consistent, long-term success.