What I Learned from Ken Blanchard about Servant Leadership

Ever so often the stars align and special things happen. That is exactly what happened a few days ago when I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Ken Blanchard the renowned leadership expert and author of over 50 books. Dr. Blanchard has been a personal favorite of mine and a person I consider a mentor for my leadership development. When I had the opportunity to meet with him in person I leaped at the chance.

As a side note, many of you know I am a big believer in writing down yours goals. Well one of my major goals this year was to meet and build relationships with some giants in the arena of leadership and business. I wanted to be more intentional about key relationships. Already I have had the opportunity to meet Hall of Fame Coach Lenny Wilkens, Basketball great Eddie Johnson, Jeff Pino former CEO of Sikorsky Jets and Olympic Gold Medalist Andrea Bolder this year. Once you write it down, it seems things begin to move in your favor.

   When Dr. Blanchard walked in, he had a calm about him, and a smile that lit of the room. He walked around the room and greeted many of us before he took his seat on the stage. You can still see the joy on his face, he loves what he does.

     “In the past a leader was a boss. Today's leaders must be partners with their people... they no
                                                                         longer can lead solely based on positional power.”
                                                                                    Dr. Ken Blanchard

Dr. Blanchard opened up his remarks reiterating how committed he is to helping leaders become better servant leaders and why he is excited about building a strong program at Grand Canyon University. Then in a way only   Dr. Blanchard could do, he explained what was wrong with many of today’s leaders and what the solution is to correcting the void of great leaders.

Dr. Blanchard explained why it is so important for leaders to be grounded and rooted in the truth of what servant leadership is really about, and leadership is about people, not systems and numbers.

I have read many of Dr. Blanchard’s books, but to hear him speak on the principles live was an experience I will treasure for a life time. The entire presentation was filled with nuggets of wisdom from a lifetime of leadership knowledge and experience.

He went on to talk about the qualities of building a great company and some of the things you can’t put a price tag on or read on a spread sheet, like employee moral, commitment to team building and execution excellence. He elaborated on why it is vital that leaders “PAY ATTENTION” and learn to listen to their employees and know them beyond what they do.

                                  “Most leaders hide behind power because they are insecure of their own ability.”
                                                                                                                Dr. Ken Blanchard

Some of my favorite take a ways from the talk were:

                                  “As a leader when you talk, you whisper through a microphone.”

                              “Learn to lead from your heart and to think with your head.”

                                                      “Relationships are more important than anything.”

But the highlight for me was the opportunity to sneak in some one on one time with Dr. Blanchard. I’ll share those nuggets at a later time. I’ll tell you this, something I have said maybe a million times, and Dr. Blanchard reinforced it, you can never stop growing. Becoming a life learner is not an option.

Wishing You Nothing But A Genius Life

Dr. Will

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About Dr. Will

Hi, I'm author of the critically acclaimed book,
Genius Potential: Learn to Identify, Develop and Release
Yours! I am the CEO of Will Moreland International, LLC a think
tank that is dedicated to developing world class leaders in
life and business.  I also speak on leadership, personal development
and organizational excellence. To learn more about me >>>



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