In this absorbing tale, you watch the timeless principles of servant leadership unfold through the story of John Daily, a businessman whose outward...
read full description
reviews
Nov 23, 2008
Alison
rated it: 
Everyone who needs a kick in the pants to get life/job/relationships back on track needs to read this book. It's not just for those wanting to be good "leaders", it's for those that want to be better people. I loved this book because the author was not pretentious in any way. He had absolute faults - - not slight faults that really don't matter and in no way illustrate the magnitude of the point (cough cough, Stephen M.R. Covey) - - real faults, real moments of shame, insecurity, an
More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Jan 05, 2011
I read The Servant for a church committee I was on. It was an engaging, quick and easy to read narrative about a businessman who learns about leadership on a retreat at a monastary. I liked the concepts of moral leadership, most of which seemed pretty common sense to me. The book seemed a little contrived though - awkward relationships, lots of cliches and motivational quotes and a maudlin ending.
For more info, check out:</b>
Servant leadership on wikipedia
Review with info
12/3 - the servant More...
For more info, check out:</b>
Servant leadership on wikipedia
Review with info
12/3 - the servant More...
Jul 23, 2011
Aaron
rated it:
I read this book as it was recommended by Alan Stein(a living legend in the basketball world). As I continue to read books that teach about character, motivation, what it takes to be strong and dedicated, this book reached everything I needed. I took away many strong ideas that I refer to from time to time to help me keep my focus. The story line is not something that seems that exciting, but reading about their discussions and the perspectives of the various people in the story really helped m
More...
Feb 17, 2011
Sarah
rated it: 
Paciencia, Bondade, Humildade, Respeito, Generosidade, Perdão, Honestidade, Compromisso.
Esse livro possui muitas informções de como se tornar um líder. Ele traça bons paralelos com a administração moderna não é só um livro de auto-ajuda ele também é educativo.
Mas de toda a minha leitura, a qual apreciei muito, o ensinamento que mais me marcou foram as atitudes de amor para o seu cotidiano para se tornar um profissional melhor e ser humano melhor. e adorei ainda mais por que ele não só More...
Esse livro possui muitas informções de como se tornar um líder. Ele traça bons paralelos com a administração moderna não é só um livro de auto-ajuda ele também é educativo.
Mas de toda a minha leitura, a qual apreciei muito, o ensinamento que mais me marcou foram as atitudes de amor para o seu cotidiano para se tornar um profissional melhor e ser humano melhor. e adorei ainda mais por que ele não só More...
Nov 13, 2011
Bruno
rated it:
O Monge e o Executivo – Uma História Sobre a Essência da Liderança, de James C. Hunter, é um livro pra você ler num final de semana. Gostei do estilo do livro. As lições poderiam ter sido simplesmente listada em umas quatro páginas, mas o autor criou uma história envolvente que prende o leitor e passa, pausadamente, as dicas para se tornar um bom líder. A palavra chave é Líder Servidor. Muito interessante a idéia.
Mas que bom que consegui ler esse livro! Tinha comprado no final de 2005 More...
Mas que bom que consegui ler esse livro! Tinha comprado no final de 2005 More...
Aug 02, 2009
Jonathan
rated it: 
Overall, I found this book to be scripted and cliche'. The teacher only seems to get asked questions to which he has the answers. The individual characters seem like charicatures. I find the way in which they all become equally enlighted at the of the story to feel really fake.
That said, this book has some really good points. Most of them borrowed from others who have said it better and simply regurgitated here using narrative format with very simple language. Personally, I have More...
That said, this book has some really good points. Most of them borrowed from others who have said it better and simply regurgitated here using narrative format with very simple language. Personally, I have More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jul 01, 2009
Shane
rated it:
Overall a great read - another practical leadership book told in story form. Interesting cast of characters getting leadership coaching from a cloistered Monk who once was a renowned leader in industry. Nothing earth shattering, but again examples that drove home some concepts, and ideas on how to approach something’s.
Key takeaways;
1: Listening - "true" listening is selfless.
2: Leadership is a choice (You chose it).
3: It is huge responsibility More...
Key takeaways;
1: Listening - "true" listening is selfless.
2: Leadership is a choice (You chose it).
3: It is huge responsibility More...
Mar 17, 2011
James
rated it:
An excellent book. This is a story-type tale of John Daily, a businessman whose outwardly successful life is spiraling out of control. He reluctantly attends a weeklong leadership retreat at a remote Benedictine monastery. Along the way, he (and the other attendees) learns that the true foundaton of leadership is not power, but authority, which is built upon relationships, love, service, and sacrifice.
Makes the important distinction between serving the needs of others vs being a s More...
Makes the important distinction between serving the needs of others vs being a s More...
Nov 25, 2011
Lucas
rated it:
Superficiality for the masses
When trying to get the ingredients of what has to be good leadership for a successful business through an Anglican monk (!?), author James Hunter makes a 'novel' superficial with predictable and caricatural characters; ending it with a cliché of redemption.
Analyzing only the quality of the plot comes the question: Why not a book essentially technical, involving the issue of leadership? The answer is simple: Because leadership is so worked as t More...
When trying to get the ingredients of what has to be good leadership for a successful business through an Anglican monk (!?), author James Hunter makes a 'novel' superficial with predictable and caricatural characters; ending it with a cliché of redemption.
Analyzing only the quality of the plot comes the question: Why not a book essentially technical, involving the issue of leadership? The answer is simple: Because leadership is so worked as t More...
Jun 04, 2011
Gabriela
rated it: 
It's with pain that I rate it two stars, because I really found it tiring to read it. Had to read the book for a college project, so I had to read it fast, and the book isn't exactly engaging. I can see the fuzz of a year ago about it: it speaks a lot in terms of self-help in management, but in my opinion there's no unleashed secrets, everything is so obvious. Also, the part where it's self-help was supposed to be subtle, making some people believe it can be also about the story, but the charact
More...
Nov 24, 2010
Greg
rated it: 
The Servant is another in that category of business/leadership books that seeks to teach good principles through the medium of a story. In this case, unlike some others I have read, I thought the story was weak, preachy, and unpersuasive. It's not that the principles in play are unsound...far from it. In fact, the leadership principles Hunter wants to get across are what I think of as enduring principles. That is, they are true and applicable, no matter the time, place, or situation. However, it
More...
Aug 02, 2010
Ryan
rated it:
I appreciated this book for the simple and plain manner in which the author discussed the philosophies of leadership. I aspire to be the kind of leader that is described in this book and will continue to work towards developing the attributes of "the Servant Leader".
This book was easy and quick to read, a little cheesy at times but worth it because the topic was so refreshing. I enjoyed the quotes, references to other great leadership resources, and great definitions on l More...
This book was easy and quick to read, a little cheesy at times but worth it because the topic was so refreshing. I enjoyed the quotes, references to other great leadership resources, and great definitions on l More...
Mar 11, 2011
Liana
rated it:
Eu li a versão em Português, traduzida do Inglês, então às vezes os diálogos pareciam meio estúpidos com expressões meio que traduzidas quase ao pé da letra, que em Inglês são muito comuns, mas em Português ninguém falaria daquela maneira e isso me irritou um pouco ao longo do livro. Mas como o livro é curtinho, não incomodou tanto assim, e filtrando, a leitura é rica, cheia de conceitos e definições da administração suavemente distribuidos, que dizem respeito ao conceito de liderança, não só no
More...
Jul 23, 2011
Kristin
rated it:
I read this to discuss it in the Pharmaceutical Care Leadership Residency's book club. The main character is your class business over-achiever that has lost much for "success". When he hits bottom, he retreats to a monastery. By the end he makes a 180 degree turn, learning how to focus on the people he's supporting.
I encourage my students to develop a tweet-length (140 characters) summary of the main highlights from their books. Here's mine: Leadership, authority (people More...
I encourage my students to develop a tweet-length (140 characters) summary of the main highlights from their books. Here's mine: Leadership, authority (people More...
Aug 17, 2009
Jenn
rated it:
I read this for a college class and I hated it. It is just a how-to book on leadership and management that is woven into a very weak and contrived story about how the writer found his way to great leadership from a monk in northern Michigan. The writing is trite and the author should have made this a pamphlet instead.
Jan 14, 2011
Keera
rated it:
I had to read this book for my freshmen leadership class at my university. There are some good lessons in it, but honestly, they're pretty common sense. You could come upon them through other books if not through life itself. The characters were so one-dimensional. There was one character thrown in to try and point out another view, but he really comes off as ignorant and intolerant, and he comes around to the other side in the end. The narrator and other characters just seem to be the same char
More...
May 23, 2010
Ainsley
rated it:
Although the concept is not a new one, this book succinctly details character traits and attitudes of what makes an excellent leader. I highly recommend this book above most MBA management books because its based in the real-world - as opposed to the theory that most MBA programs offer (in my opinion).
Jan 04, 2008
Nate
rated it:
I learned that there are people of power and there are people of authority. I never realized this before and always strive to be a person of Authority.
The chapter on Love (Verb) was real interesting as I always think of it as a feeling. In the Bible it states that you should love yourelf and your neigbor. It means to treat everyone with Love even if you do not feel love for them. How many people in this world would get along better if we all did this. This is a habit I want to ma More...
The chapter on Love (Verb) was real interesting as I always think of it as a feeling. In the Bible it states that you should love yourelf and your neigbor. It means to treat everyone with Love even if you do not feel love for them. How many people in this world would get along better if we all did this. This is a habit I want to ma More...
Sep 19, 2011
Matt
rated it:
Actually a lot of interesting concepts though the writing can be a difficult slog. I like the concept of servant leadership, though, and the book gave me a lot to think about. I wish it hadn't been quite so cheesy or contrived, but I feel like I definitely got some good ideas about how to be a more effective leader/person from reading the book.
Aug 28, 2009
James
rated it:
What the Bible teaches simply, this book elaborates on in great detail as it develops a tale that illustrates that only those who serve people can lead them well. Most will gladly follow a leader dedicated to their well-being, and with wisdom enough to teach by example.
Feb 25, 2009
Thomas
rated it:
Very good explanation of what is involved in servant leadership. Easy read. Story of an executive on a spiritual retreat (secular book) who learns leadership lessons from a monk. The lessons revolve around the servant aspect of Christ. This is one of my favorites.
Apr 13, 2009
Michelle
rated it:
I thought this book was excellent. It is an easy read, with a religious context, but it really makes you think about people...working with, for and people working for you. I think it really does justice to the PLC process. I borrowed a copy and would like to buy my own so I can mark it up! I also borrowed the sequel...I will see if that one is as good.
Feb 17, 2009
This book is a great at helping to identify the true core elements of effective leadership. It is not a "magic bullet" book, instead it gives a great perspective on the journey and character it takes to step into the role of leadership.
Jan 29, 2009
This is supposed to be the 2nd book that my "virtual book club" at work, will be reading. We haven't even discussed the first one yet, though, so I'm not sure how successful the endeavor will be. :)
Jul 02, 2010
Fábio
rated it:
Livro excelente, mostra de forma didática e envolvente como tratar as pessoas para se tornar um líder e ser grandemente apreciado. Escrito em narrativa, torna-se de leitura leve e bem exemplificado.
Sep 22, 2010
Mauricio
rated it:
Leitura regular sobre um homem a beira do colapso (C.A.O.S) que procura reordenar sua vida através da aplicação de aprendizados obtidos em um retiro com monges. O livro narra este período.
Mar 20, 2010
Kimi
rated it:
A lot of management teams need a paradigm shift in how leadership works; it is not a pyramid with the CEO/Principal Leader at the top with the "little people" on the bottom holding him up and supporting his goals.
It is an inverted pyramid with the CEO/Principal Leader being on the bottom and holding up and supporting all of those he leads.
It is an inverted pyramid with the CEO/Principal Leader being on the bottom and holding up and supporting all of those he leads.
May 16, 2009
Great book on leadership. Easy read and very applicable to your leadership responsibilities both at home and work. Changed my leadership style!
Sep 15, 2011
Jeff
rated it:
A very quick read, but oh, so packed with lessons and truth. A good reminder of how we all should live, not just a leaders, but as people.
Aug 13, 2011
Mary
rated it:
I loved the story form this book was written. It was an easy read and hard to put down because I wanted to know more.
