For thousands of years, “serving to lead” has been the teaching of the world’s great transformational leaders. In recent decades, “Servant Leadership” has grown as a leadership theory and aspiration among increasing numbers of companies. Southwest Airlines, Frito-Lay, The Cleveland Clinic, and Chick-fil-A are notable among hundreds of corporations committed to servant leadership. Jennings and Stahl-Wert have translated this growing body of leadership theory and practice into an actionable business guide. Ken Blanchard, management guru and author of The One Minute Manager, has called Ken and John’s book “the most practical guide available to implementing servant leadership.”
Mike Wilson is a respected consultant charged with the task of building a new practice area in leadership development. During the new project, he learns that his father is very ill and wants his only child to come home and help him with “a few projects.” Mike’s father is a well-known, retired CEO, and Mike gets his boss’s blessing to take as much time as he needs. Unbeknownst to him, Mike’s father and boss, longtime friends, have plotted this visit to help Mike learn some needed leadership and life lessons. So begins this compelling narrative that combines a very human story with the classical Greenleaf theory of servant leadership. The second book in the acclaimed Ken Blanchard series (called “powerful testimony” by Brad Orr, CEO of John Burnham & Co) is both a practical guide for effective leadership and a book about the personal journey of growth that real leadership requires.
Praise for The Serving Leader
“What sets this book apart is the beauty of the storytelling…”
— Ken Blanchard, Lead Like Jesus
“…an amazing book that will challenge and inspire you.”
— Harvey Mackay, author of New York Times #1 best-seller Swim With The Sharks
“This book will speak to your soul…”
— Jim Mellado, President, Willow Creek Association
“I owe my success in leadership to the principles found in this book!”
— John B. Hirt, PhD, MajorGeneral, United States Marine Corps
“…deals with fundamental questions of what matters.”
— Newt Crenshaw, President, Lilly Pharmaceuticals Japan
“Jennings and Stahl-Wert understand servant leadership…”
— Jim Amos, Jr., Chairman Emeritus, Mail Boxes, Etc.
“Not a book—rather an experience, a journey into real life.”
— Scott Keffer, President, Wealth Transfer Solutions, Inc.
“I laughed and cried! It’s a wonderful book.”
— Deb Grumski, Coalition for Leadership, Education and Advocacy for Recovery
“…a delightful and entertaining book!”
— Dr. Alistair M. Hanna, Chairman, ALPHA USA, Former McKinsey and Company Director
“A lovely universal quality to this story.”
— Valerie Andrews, Author
“I recommend this book to anyone facing halftime.”
— Bob Buford, Author of Halftime
“…not a quick how-to business book…a Prayer of Jabez class book.”
— Perry Pascarella, Author of best-selling Purpose-Driven Organization
“…the most practical guide available to implementing servant leadership…”
— Ken Blanchard, Lead Like Jesus
