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The Leadership Pill: The Missing Ingredient in Motivating People Today
In the bestselling tradition of Whale Done , Ken Blanchard offers a new parable about the competition of two leaders with totally different management styles--and reveals the ingredients of truly effective leadership. How can you become a more successful manager, a stronger team leader, and a motivator who gets the best results from a group? Ken Blanchard's inspiring new book provides the answer. In a beguiling, sometimes humorous fashion, The Leadership Pill conjures up a tantalizing possibility: What if there were a pill that could stimulate the natural powers of the mind and body to provide leadership? In the story, an amazing new pill heightens one leader's powers, but contains the wrong ingredients, stimulating him in a shortsighted direction. He is coercive, obsessed with immediate results, and drives his team relentlessly until after a brief spike in performance, they suffer early burnout. In contrast, the "Effective Leader, " working without a pill, inspires and supports his team. He supplies the right ingredients, earning the respect and trust of his team with a blend of integrity, partnership, and affirmation. Ultimately it is recognized that leadership is more than a pill, even as the developers try to create a better pill with the slogan, "Leadership for a Lifetime." Destined to be a transforming experience for thousands of readers, The Leadership Pill shows how to apply the right techniques, no matter how pressured a business situation.
Unbound
First published January 1, 2003
15 people are currently reading
304 people want to read
About the author
Kenneth H. Blanchard
314 books1,845 followersKen Blanchard, one of the most influential leadership experts in the world, is the coauthor of the iconic bestseller, The One Minute Manager, and 60 other books whose combined sales total more than 21 million copies. His groundbreaking works have been translated into more than 27 languages and in 2005 he was inducted into Amazon’s Hall of Fame as one of the top 25 bestselling authors of all time.
Ken is also the cofounder and chief spiritual officer of The Ken Blanchard Companies®, an international management training and consulting firm that he and his wife, Margie Blanchard, began in 1979 in San Diego, California.
When he’s not writing or speaking, Ken also spends time teaching students in the Master of Science in Executive Leadership Program at the University of San Diego. Ken can be found at www.kenblanchard.com.
Ken is also the cofounder and chief spiritual officer of The Ken Blanchard Companies®, an international management training and consulting firm that he and his wife, Margie Blanchard, began in 1979 in San Diego, California.
When he’s not writing or speaking, Ken also spends time teaching students in the Master of Science in Executive Leadership Program at the University of San Diego. Ken can be found at www.kenblanchard.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
November 29, 2017
There are several business books in this style that are outstanding. This one is just a 'me too'. Using the same story format to bring home lessons but not doing it with any real depth. The story line isn't interesting. The people are not relatable. The advice is solid. But it is kind of 'cliff notes' to business advice.
October 18, 2015
A very interesting book , I could not stop reading.
August 25, 2021
Câu chuyện kể về cuộc thi lãnh đạo giữa nhà Lãnh đạo Hiệu quả và nhà lãnh đạo có sử dụng Viên thuốc lãnh đạo. Ngụ ý của câu chuyện đại loại như nếu sử dụng viên thuốc lãnh đạo thì chỉ có hiệu quả trong thời gian ngắn chứ về lâu về dài sẽ không có hiệu qua và người lại, nếu có những "bí quyết' lãnh đạo của riêng mình và phát triển đội nhóm theo bí quyết đấy dù trước mắt kết quả không cải thiện quá rõ ràng nhưng về lâu dài thì nó là một phương pháp bền vững. Đội nhóm thành công không chỉ dừng lại ở việc có một nhà lãnh đạo tốt mà còn phụ thuộc vào từng thành viên trong một tổ chức. Xuyên suốt cuốn sách, tác giả đề cập đến 3 yếu tố tạo nên công thức lãnh đạo: Chính trực, cộng tác và sự công nhận. Sách khá ngắn, đọc vui vui thì ok chứ không lĩnh hội được nhiều cái mới lắm :)))
August 17, 2017
It's a nice and short book. Easy to understand but I think it would be better if the auther could let me know why the "leadership pill" could help some leaders run their business better when they took the pill.
Yep, it was one of the should read book.
Yep, it was one of the should read book.
December 7, 2017
The author Ken Blanchard, in this book, writes in a contemporary fiction style. The author has explained his Secret Blend of Leadership composed of Integrity, Partnership and Affirmation.
July 31, 2018
ما يجب ان يتحلى به القائد المؤثر ليحدث نقله في تعاملاته مع فريقه وحثهم المستمر على النجاح وتحقيق الهدف الذي ينشدونه
December 17, 2020
Must read
Loved reading this book, complete recommendation for all who are already leaders or aspiring to be one
The secret is simple
Loved reading this book, complete recommendation for all who are already leaders or aspiring to be one
The secret is simple
March 19, 2022
Like most of Blanchard's books, this one is short, parable-style, and a good, easy read. Practical and helpful.
May 24, 2023
This is an awesome leadership books with tips and tricks to effectively manage and transform a negative performing team to an optimum team.
Great lessons, with a great story
Great lessons, with a great story
February 22, 2024
Worst book I have ever read. Corny, condescending, and a waste of an hour’s time.
November 22, 2016
Simple and easy to understand. Like the secret blend take away.
March 14, 2017
I love informational books written as a parable ;) The key points are fabulous - this would be a good read for anyone who works with others, in any field - you don't need to be a manger to benefit. Super easy to read - I had it done in one sitting.
September 22, 2013
The book name attracts a bit and then the statement "leadership qualities are increased using the Leadership pill". That gives some interest about what is in the pill. But after sometime, it is stated that the pill is defective. Here the story turns to a different set. The Effective leader turns to a pill free challenge and then he starts on that by his own way.
Book is about how to maintain motivation by being a leader. As most of the reviews the book is about how a manager have to be with his team, but not how the manager should behave. As it is told in "One Minute Manager".
I would turn to that book if i were asked about which book to take about Managers or Leadership qualities.
The result of the pill-free challenge is predetermined, but even though as i told that it is likely the same which has been told in the book "One Minute Manager", it is a review of some of the concepts that have been told in that book.
You may have a doubt. Whether to read this book or not?
Well it can be read but i didn't feel much to keep a copy of it in my shelf.
If you find it in a library then you may read it once.
It doesn't take much of the time to complete this book as the writing style and font size.
Coming to the positives of the book and author, His all the works are of the same type, they have a common thing. They are written in form of a story. That helps us to involve in the book so much, rather than something that is like, you have to do this because of this reason.
Anyway it can be read once and the principles are worth following even though they are the same from one of the author's work
Book is about how to maintain motivation by being a leader. As most of the reviews the book is about how a manager have to be with his team, but not how the manager should behave. As it is told in "One Minute Manager".
I would turn to that book if i were asked about which book to take about Managers or Leadership qualities.
The result of the pill-free challenge is predetermined, but even though as i told that it is likely the same which has been told in the book "One Minute Manager", it is a review of some of the concepts that have been told in that book.
You may have a doubt. Whether to read this book or not?
Well it can be read but i didn't feel much to keep a copy of it in my shelf.
If you find it in a library then you may read it once.
It doesn't take much of the time to complete this book as the writing style and font size.
Coming to the positives of the book and author, His all the works are of the same type, they have a common thing. They are written in form of a story. That helps us to involve in the book so much, rather than something that is like, you have to do this because of this reason.
Anyway it can be read once and the principles are worth following even though they are the same from one of the author's work
May 5, 2010
The Leadership Pill: The Missing Ingredient in Motivating People Today (2003), Ken Blanchard, Mike Muchnick
The Leadership Pill is a quick read in the form of a metaphor. In it, Blanchard and Muchnick contrast two styles of leadership by giving one group a special leadership pill. The story is slightly redundant in making the distinction between the two leadership styles found in the two groups and is a little corny with the "pill". Basically, it boils down to what I call the "old" versus "new" mentality where leaders of today prescibe to "old" methods of heirarchical bossing compared to eye-to-eye teamwork. Perhaps you've worked in an "old" environment where people hold fast to positions and bark orders with no insight to honest objectives and tangible goals. This is where success is defined behind a facade of b.s. about bonuses and job security while the whipmaster rings the "cash register". The "new" style doesn't take the leadership pill and is based on teamwork where players are honestly valued and appreciated. Now you don't have to read the book!
The Leadership Pill is a quick read in the form of a metaphor. In it, Blanchard and Muchnick contrast two styles of leadership by giving one group a special leadership pill. The story is slightly redundant in making the distinction between the two leadership styles found in the two groups and is a little corny with the "pill". Basically, it boils down to what I call the "old" versus "new" mentality where leaders of today prescibe to "old" methods of heirarchical bossing compared to eye-to-eye teamwork. Perhaps you've worked in an "old" environment where people hold fast to positions and bark orders with no insight to honest objectives and tangible goals. This is where success is defined behind a facade of b.s. about bonuses and job security while the whipmaster rings the "cash register". The "new" style doesn't take the leadership pill and is based on teamwork where players are honestly valued and appreciated. Now you don't have to read the book!
April 16, 2016
This is a 3.5 stars, but there is no such score here... I like most of the books by Blanchard - The one minute manager, the one minute manager meets the monkey and this one have pretty much the same style, they are easy and fun to read, and they emphasize important aspects of management. The Leadership Pill is a quick read in the form of a metaphor. The leadership pill helps by increasing the "leadership" of whom taking it - the person becomes more focused on the goal, and runs a team effectively in the old bossy style. That works for a while, but not for long. People in our generation do not put up with this any more. The other leader, the pill-free leader, uses much more of what all of us want to see in a leader, empathy, eye-to-eye teamwork, and appreciation.
April 22, 2013
A fictional tale of a magical Leadership Pill Versus a real Effective Leader, the outcome of the book is of course predetermined, but what you can learn from this book is not.
Although I admit I wouldn't buy a copy of this book and put it on my shelf but if you like me you happen across it in a library then do take a chance on it.
Yes the writing style is old and comes across a little cheesy but hey so does Abba this shouldn't stop you enjoying yourself!
It's a fast read and a friendly introduction into the world of leadership and hell thats just what this field needs.
Although I admit I wouldn't buy a copy of this book and put it on my shelf but if you like me you happen across it in a library then do take a chance on it.
Yes the writing style is old and comes across a little cheesy but hey so does Abba this shouldn't stop you enjoying yourself!
It's a fast read and a friendly introduction into the world of leadership and hell thats just what this field needs.
November 3, 2008
One of the key messages is something I intend to put into everyday use; showing appreciation. As leaders, heck, as people, we simply don't do enough of this. This is so easy and so powerful. I simply wonder why we don't? It might be that we just don't understand the impact of a simple, "thank you" or "much appreciated" for all the little things, caring things, we experience throughout our days.
January 5, 2010
First off this is no "Who moved my cheese."
The story is very thin and the lessons are rather simplistic. The book is more about how a manager should behave than how to actually manage people. In addition, the book references some of his other books including Gung-Ho and Ravening Fans. Think of this book as a "back to basics" rather than a new management style.
I preferred The One-Minute-Manager to this book. However, if you are looking for some general tips you may want to check it out.
The story is very thin and the lessons are rather simplistic. The book is more about how a manager should behave than how to actually manage people. In addition, the book references some of his other books including Gung-Ho and Ravening Fans. Think of this book as a "back to basics" rather than a new management style.
I preferred The One-Minute-Manager to this book. However, if you are looking for some general tips you may want to check it out.
May 29, 2012
This book comes across as something an employee would write about what he/she thinks his manager or boss should be like. If only things really worked that way in the real world. Sometimes you don't have time to give people warm, fuzzy feelings and it's just time to get stuff done. The plus side of this book was that it was such a short read.
July 9, 2008
Another book that validates my preferred management style of valuing the people (the employees and the customers), and not just narrowly-focusing on the bottom-line (profits). Short but sweet in the delivery of its message (through the telling of a tale), but also fairy-tailish.
August 17, 2013
If you were raised by a halfway decent company (I was brought up through the ranks at Starbucks) then this is completely pointless to read. And, it all seems like common sense in today's landscape. Out-of-date and redundant.
Want to read
January 3, 2009Another great Kenneth Blanchard book. Could be a great book to motivate self and others with!
March 16, 2009
Blanchard always has valuable insights about some of the key principles of leadership.
August 26, 2009
Excellent; parable on leadership, focusing on three indgredients: integrity, partnership, affirmation - which you can't get from a "pill"
November 21, 2009
at just over one hour this was a great, inspirational leadership book. I enjoy Blanchard's parable style of writing. And the narrator of the audio was quite good.
January 13, 2010
This book has a pretty good meaning behind it, but staying focused was hard the book wasn't very good. I want a great book when trying to become a better leader.
June 15, 2010
Quick read discussing the value of integrity, partnership, and affirmation. Easy read because it is based within a fictional story.
August 9, 2011
Had to read it for work. I was confused at first but then understood what was going on. A quick read with great recipe for successful leadership. I thought it could have a little more depth though.
October 8, 2011
A very quick read. Typical leadership lessons in a concise form.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews