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Simple Truths of Leadership: 52 Ways to Be a Servant Leader and Build Trust
Leadership legend Ken Blanchard teams up with Randy Conley to share the most essential lessons on servant leadership and building trust from the heart of his leadership model.
Effective leadership comes down to implementing everyday, commonsense practices to help organizations thrive--and yet so many leaders are still missing these fundamental principles from their personal and professional lives. Renowned business experts Ken Blanchard and Randy Conley disclose the simple truths about leadership they have gathered over their long and distinguished careers to help bring common sense into common practice.
Featuring two sections--servant leadership and building trust--this book is a collection of Blanchard's greatest hits. It is chock-full of profound and memorable (and in some cases counterintuitive) leadership wisdom, such as
- Create autonomy through boundaries.
- People who plan the battle rarely battle the plan.
- A relationship with no trust is like a cell phone with no internet. All you can do is play games.
- The most important part of leadership is what happens when you're not there.
This book will help readers incorporate these integral practices into their leadership style, build trust through servant leadership, and make a difference in their own life and the lives of those they influence.
Effective leadership comes down to implementing everyday, commonsense practices to help organizations thrive--and yet so many leaders are still missing these fundamental principles from their personal and professional lives. Renowned business experts Ken Blanchard and Randy Conley disclose the simple truths about leadership they have gathered over their long and distinguished careers to help bring common sense into common practice.
Featuring two sections--servant leadership and building trust--this book is a collection of Blanchard's greatest hits. It is chock-full of profound and memorable (and in some cases counterintuitive) leadership wisdom, such as
- Create autonomy through boundaries.
- People who plan the battle rarely battle the plan.
- A relationship with no trust is like a cell phone with no internet. All you can do is play games.
- The most important part of leadership is what happens when you're not there.
This book will help readers incorporate these integral practices into their leadership style, build trust through servant leadership, and make a difference in their own life and the lives of those they influence.
176 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 31, 2022
114 people are currently reading
1223 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 35 reviews
February 6, 2023
This book is great. I loved that it went straight to the point. You got a simple truth, an in-depth explanation on that simple truth, and the practical use. I thought it was perfect. This book does not only apply to professional settings. I often found myself relating some of those simple truths to my everyday life. It is a great reference guide for how to tackle different situations both at work and outside of professional settings. I will definitely be referencing this book often.
July 8, 2022
It’d only be balanced if I read book meant for leaders/ bosses too
Initially, the title goes “DUH! Why Isn’t Commonsense Leadership Common Practice?”. If it were up to me, I’d rather vote this title, more plausible that way
But, it isn’t the title that need to be reviewed 😆 since this book is talking about SIMPLE truth, with SIMPLE format, I’ll also make my review SIMPLE
What I like in this book
• easy reading format - left page is the key point and right is for the explanation (swipe to see more photos)
• points that are common sense, really
• straightforward explanation, some with quotes and not exactly typical
• the suggested common practices are seriously, common and making sense
I guess that was the plan all along, to give simple truths about leadership. And to quote Ken, “if today’s leaders had a more commonsense approach to leadership, we’d venture to say that 65 to 70% workforce would not be considered disengaged”
That. Is. Something 😌
By the way, the authors used the word “servant leaders” here instead of just “leaders” and “bosses”, one way of saying that leaders are serving their workers. Nice one actually
I have nothing worth to argue about the content in this book. I think this is also good for students’ leaders to read as you can put these into practice (yeah, I know the cover look like something your father or school counsellor might read haha)
Thank you Pansing @definitelybooks for sending me this review copy!
Initially, the title goes “DUH! Why Isn’t Commonsense Leadership Common Practice?”. If it were up to me, I’d rather vote this title, more plausible that way
But, it isn’t the title that need to be reviewed 😆 since this book is talking about SIMPLE truth, with SIMPLE format, I’ll also make my review SIMPLE
What I like in this book
• easy reading format - left page is the key point and right is for the explanation (swipe to see more photos)
• points that are common sense, really
• straightforward explanation, some with quotes and not exactly typical
• the suggested common practices are seriously, common and making sense
I guess that was the plan all along, to give simple truths about leadership. And to quote Ken, “if today’s leaders had a more commonsense approach to leadership, we’d venture to say that 65 to 70% workforce would not be considered disengaged”
That. Is. Something 😌
By the way, the authors used the word “servant leaders” here instead of just “leaders” and “bosses”, one way of saying that leaders are serving their workers. Nice one actually
I have nothing worth to argue about the content in this book. I think this is also good for students’ leaders to read as you can put these into practice (yeah, I know the cover look like something your father or school counsellor might read haha)
Thank you Pansing @definitelybooks for sending me this review copy!
January 17, 2022
The format for this helpful book is simple. For each of the 52 simple truths – one for each week of the year – on the left page the authors identify a Simple Truth about servant leadership (written by Ken Blanchard) or building trust (written by Randy Conley). On the right page, the authors describe the puzzling lack of use of the concept, and briefly explain why it is important. The final element is a call to action for readers – “Making Common Sense Common Practice” – where the authors break down the concept into ideas that leaders can easily apply on the job.
The book is arranged with 26 Simple Truths on servant leadership written by Blanchard, followed by 26 Simple Truths on building trust written by Conley. There are a variety of ways that you can read the book. For example, you can read the Simple Truths in order, focusing on one to apply each week of the year. A “Discussion Guide” is included at the end of the book, with twenty-four discussion prompts that touch on topics relating to servant leadership and building trust. This is a good book to read and discuss with other leaders or emerging leaders.
Here are my favorite quotes from the book:
Servant Leadership
• The shift from self-serving leadership to leadership that serves others is motivated by a change of heart. If leaders don’t get their hearts right, they will never become servant leaders.
• Leadership is about going somewhere. If you and your people don’t know where you’re going, your leadership doesn’t matter.
• Servant leaders help their people achieve goals by coaching, encouraging, and praising them along the way.
• When you have a leadership problem, focus not on the power that comes with the position, but on the people you have an opportunity to serve.
• Giving and receiving feedback without judgment is one of the best strategies for servant leaders who strive to achieve both great relationships and great results.
• The goal of effective servant leaders is to serve their people and make sure they know their contributions are valued. These leaders realize that leadership is not about them – its about the people they serve.
Building Trust
• In the workplace, it’s your job as a leader to extend trust to your people first. It’s not their job to have blind faith in you simply by virtue of your power or position of authority.
• Fear is the enemy of trust. It’s virtually impossible for trust to survive if there is fear in a relationship.
• Authentic leaders display humility, admit what they don’t know, walk their talk, own up to their mistakes, and do what they say they will do.
• Demonstrating care and concern for others is the quickest and easiest way to build trust.
• As a servant leader, when you establish a sincere, caring environment through your words and actions, you can be assured your people will always remember you for the way you made them feel.
• Great leaders understand they build trust through the consistency of their actions. They focus on doing the right thing even when it’s uncomfortable or unpopular.
The book is arranged with 26 Simple Truths on servant leadership written by Blanchard, followed by 26 Simple Truths on building trust written by Conley. There are a variety of ways that you can read the book. For example, you can read the Simple Truths in order, focusing on one to apply each week of the year. A “Discussion Guide” is included at the end of the book, with twenty-four discussion prompts that touch on topics relating to servant leadership and building trust. This is a good book to read and discuss with other leaders or emerging leaders.
Here are my favorite quotes from the book:
Servant Leadership
• The shift from self-serving leadership to leadership that serves others is motivated by a change of heart. If leaders don’t get their hearts right, they will never become servant leaders.
• Leadership is about going somewhere. If you and your people don’t know where you’re going, your leadership doesn’t matter.
• Servant leaders help their people achieve goals by coaching, encouraging, and praising them along the way.
• When you have a leadership problem, focus not on the power that comes with the position, but on the people you have an opportunity to serve.
• Giving and receiving feedback without judgment is one of the best strategies for servant leaders who strive to achieve both great relationships and great results.
• The goal of effective servant leaders is to serve their people and make sure they know their contributions are valued. These leaders realize that leadership is not about them – its about the people they serve.
Building Trust
• In the workplace, it’s your job as a leader to extend trust to your people first. It’s not their job to have blind faith in you simply by virtue of your power or position of authority.
• Fear is the enemy of trust. It’s virtually impossible for trust to survive if there is fear in a relationship.
• Authentic leaders display humility, admit what they don’t know, walk their talk, own up to their mistakes, and do what they say they will do.
• Demonstrating care and concern for others is the quickest and easiest way to build trust.
• As a servant leader, when you establish a sincere, caring environment through your words and actions, you can be assured your people will always remember you for the way you made them feel.
• Great leaders understand they build trust through the consistency of their actions. They focus on doing the right thing even when it’s uncomfortable or unpopular.
April 23, 2022
Imagine having the most coveted and distilled truths of leadership and trust, from highly respected experts with decades of experience, in a small volume! That’s what you get from noted guru Ken Blanchard—of The One Minute Manager fame—and co-author/professional/leader/collaborator, Randy Conley.
These two set out to pen a practical guide of 52 simple truths—yes, one conceivably for each week where readers could read and digest and apply them as such—on servant leadership and trust. Ken takes on the first 26 covering servant leadership principles, while Randy bats clean up and delves into the topic of trust.
Each truth comes with a couple of paragraphs of opening statements or a story, followed by a section entitled, “Making Common Sense Common Practice.” Their rationale for such an approach is that it is easy to spout these principles and discuss them in the sterile environment of a classroom or around a water cooler, yet it is often harder to put them into practice. Blanchard and Conley desire readers to bridge that gap more easily by putting their money where their mouth is.
For aspiring leaders, you will find approaches to leadership to add to your kit bag and could become overwhelmed by the sheer volume and substance in these pages. Again, Blanchard and Conley break down the complex by offering practical ways to employ the truths, while also conveying confidence when doing so.
Experienced leaders will also love this book for a number of reasons. Much of what is here affirms approaches and truths you already employ, which will be a confidence boost that you’ve been on the right path. As well, some truths will just make you feel good and empower you to stretch to be an even better than you already are. For example, some of my ‘feel-good’ favorites include, ‘the best use of power is in service to others,’ and ‘servant leaders don’t command people to obey, they invite people to follow.’
On the trust side, Conley gives us some simple, yet powerful aphorisms packaged in new ways, such as ‘the opposite of trust is not distrust—it’s control.’ Wow! Conley’s powerful messages on apologizing and forgiveness nicely complement Blanchard’s servant leadership section.
Leaders at all levels and professions will benefit from the credible wisdom in these pages. Keeping it on your shelf within arm’s reach—the author’s recommendation—allows for quick recall of the simple, yet powerful insights fueling your approach to your craft. And although you could take each insight week by week, I was so enthralled with the content that I consumed it in one sitting, because at roughly 150 pages, it is a highly consumable page turner!
Highly recommend!
These two set out to pen a practical guide of 52 simple truths—yes, one conceivably for each week where readers could read and digest and apply them as such—on servant leadership and trust. Ken takes on the first 26 covering servant leadership principles, while Randy bats clean up and delves into the topic of trust.
Each truth comes with a couple of paragraphs of opening statements or a story, followed by a section entitled, “Making Common Sense Common Practice.” Their rationale for such an approach is that it is easy to spout these principles and discuss them in the sterile environment of a classroom or around a water cooler, yet it is often harder to put them into practice. Blanchard and Conley desire readers to bridge that gap more easily by putting their money where their mouth is.
For aspiring leaders, you will find approaches to leadership to add to your kit bag and could become overwhelmed by the sheer volume and substance in these pages. Again, Blanchard and Conley break down the complex by offering practical ways to employ the truths, while also conveying confidence when doing so.
Experienced leaders will also love this book for a number of reasons. Much of what is here affirms approaches and truths you already employ, which will be a confidence boost that you’ve been on the right path. As well, some truths will just make you feel good and empower you to stretch to be an even better than you already are. For example, some of my ‘feel-good’ favorites include, ‘the best use of power is in service to others,’ and ‘servant leaders don’t command people to obey, they invite people to follow.’
On the trust side, Conley gives us some simple, yet powerful aphorisms packaged in new ways, such as ‘the opposite of trust is not distrust—it’s control.’ Wow! Conley’s powerful messages on apologizing and forgiveness nicely complement Blanchard’s servant leadership section.
Leaders at all levels and professions will benefit from the credible wisdom in these pages. Keeping it on your shelf within arm’s reach—the author’s recommendation—allows for quick recall of the simple, yet powerful insights fueling your approach to your craft. And although you could take each insight week by week, I was so enthralled with the content that I consumed it in one sitting, because at roughly 150 pages, it is a highly consumable page turner!
Highly recommend!
January 7, 2022
When I started my career in 1985, there was no Spotify or Apple Music. If you wanted to listen to a collection of your favorite artist's music, you had to either buy all of their albums or wait for them to release a greatest hits album.
Around that same time, I started my journey on developing my leadership knowledge and skills and that required me to buy new books from authors that I found compelling. One of the first books that I remember reading is The One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson. This book became a foundation for the development of my leadership skills. Ken has written or co-written over 60 books since that time so if you have collected his works, you have a full bookcase.
I was recently given an early preview of the new book that Ken along with Randy Conley released that I consider Ken’s Greatest Hits, Simple Truths of Leadership. In this book, they introduce 52 Simple Truths about leadership. Each takes 2 pages that outline the Truth and then, more importantly, they share “Making Common Sense Common Practice” which gives you 2 or 3 actions that can take to be a more successful leader.
This is NOT an all-encompassing leadership guide. I look at this as a syllabus of your leadership journey. You can read a Truth and it will often reference another book that you can use to diver deeper into that topic. The other part I really like is the structure that you can use of this book to practice developing a single skill on a weekly basis over the course of the year.
In 2019 there were over 1.6 million books published. If you are a professional trying to sift through the best support for your development, books like this will help you navigate your journey toward a great profession.
#2022books
#simpletruthsofleadership
Around that same time, I started my journey on developing my leadership knowledge and skills and that required me to buy new books from authors that I found compelling. One of the first books that I remember reading is The One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson. This book became a foundation for the development of my leadership skills. Ken has written or co-written over 60 books since that time so if you have collected his works, you have a full bookcase.
I was recently given an early preview of the new book that Ken along with Randy Conley released that I consider Ken’s Greatest Hits, Simple Truths of Leadership. In this book, they introduce 52 Simple Truths about leadership. Each takes 2 pages that outline the Truth and then, more importantly, they share “Making Common Sense Common Practice” which gives you 2 or 3 actions that can take to be a more successful leader.
This is NOT an all-encompassing leadership guide. I look at this as a syllabus of your leadership journey. You can read a Truth and it will often reference another book that you can use to diver deeper into that topic. The other part I really like is the structure that you can use of this book to practice developing a single skill on a weekly basis over the course of the year.
In 2019 there were over 1.6 million books published. If you are a professional trying to sift through the best support for your development, books like this will help you navigate your journey toward a great profession.
#2022books
#simpletruthsofleadership
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November 21, 2022The book’s message is very clear: The greatest way to build excellent connections and outstanding results is via servant leadership (SL). Readers learn from it that SL is a means of fostering trust. By prioritizing their followers’ needs before their own, servant leaders stand out. The book imparts the wisdom of its authors. It contains pearls of wisdom on subjects like the role of trust in leadership, the value of honesty, integrity, and treating people fairly, traits of trustworthy leaders, strategies for fostering trust during times of change and mending trust that has been damaged, and the amazing power of forgiveness. Readers will be more prepared to lead as dependable servant leaders after reading this book and putting its advice into practice. The material of the book is useful for training since it inspires discussion and moves leaders and leadership practitioners closer to the dependable servant leader they aspire to be.
February 2, 2022
Like a child waiting for Santa Claus, I heard the UPS truck turn into the drive. I ran to throw open the door. I took the box, ripping it open to find not one but two books! I will keep one and share the other. What a wealth of knowledge shared to provide leaders with continued weekly growth to guide them into the leaders this world needs.
Ken Blanchard and Randy Conley bring their leadership strengths to fill the pages of this book strategically to enhance the opportunity for leaders to build capacity with their teams, mentors, or coaches to strengthen approaches and for teams to engage in discussions with the guide at the end of the book. The discussion guide is also an opportunity for individuals to dig deeper into topics, concepts, values, beliefs, and practices to serve others with heart and trust. Well done! A must-have book for all leaders in a world that needs great leaders!
Ken Blanchard and Randy Conley bring their leadership strengths to fill the pages of this book strategically to enhance the opportunity for leaders to build capacity with their teams, mentors, or coaches to strengthen approaches and for teams to engage in discussions with the guide at the end of the book. The discussion guide is also an opportunity for individuals to dig deeper into topics, concepts, values, beliefs, and practices to serve others with heart and trust. Well done! A must-have book for all leaders in a world that needs great leaders!
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April 7, 2022The best leaders place trust in their employees and work to build warm, supportive relationships with them. Rather than placing themselves at the center of the company’s operations, great leaders put the focus on their customers – and their staff.
And here’s some more actionable advice:
Information is valuable; share it freely.
As a leader, it’s vital to place trust in your people. One of the best ways to demonstrate this trust is to freely share information with your employees. If you hoard information and keep your staff in the dark, things can quickly unravel. In order to fill the gaps in their knowledge, your staff will start to make assumptions and create their own stories about what’s going on. These stories might be negative and damaging to morale. So have a policy of giving out information, speaking openly, and being as honest as you possibly can!
And here’s some more actionable advice:
Information is valuable; share it freely.
As a leader, it’s vital to place trust in your people. One of the best ways to demonstrate this trust is to freely share information with your employees. If you hoard information and keep your staff in the dark, things can quickly unravel. In order to fill the gaps in their knowledge, your staff will start to make assumptions and create their own stories about what’s going on. These stories might be negative and damaging to morale. So have a policy of giving out information, speaking openly, and being as honest as you possibly can!
March 19, 2022
Great book that illustrates the best way of followship
The leadership aspect focuses on vision, direction, and results—where you as a leader hope to take your people. Leaders should involve others in setting direction and determining desired results, but if people don’t know where they’re headed or what they’re meant to accomplish, the fault lies with the leader.
The servant aspect focuses on working side by side in relationship with your people. Once the vision and direction are clear, the leader’s role shifts to service—helping people accomplish the agreed-upon goals.
The leadership aspect focuses on vision, direction, and results—where you as a leader hope to take your people. Leaders should involve others in setting direction and determining desired results, but if people don’t know where they’re headed or what they’re meant to accomplish, the fault lies with the leader.
The servant aspect focuses on working side by side in relationship with your people. Once the vision and direction are clear, the leader’s role shifts to service—helping people accomplish the agreed-upon goals.
July 17, 2024
As the title says, this book contains 52 short statements that offer advice for becoming/being a servant leader. Each page spread includes the statement and a short writing about it. It's always followed by a section called "Making Common Sense Common Practice." It's here that the real work of the book is done. Questions and challenges are offered for readers to reflect on their own style of leadership.
This one can be read straight through as an introduction, and then can be used as reflection time on the individual points.
Looking forward to returning to this and digging deeper.
This one can be read straight through as an introduction, and then can be used as reflection time on the individual points.
Looking forward to returning to this and digging deeper.
June 22, 2022
A good book with 52 common sense, yet often forgotten rules about leadership. Each rule is brief with a few pointers on how to achieve them. My only issue it that is only at the end of the book that the authors state their intent that readers go through one lesson a week to master them. Yes, this seems obvious after reflecting on 52 common sense ways and 52 weeks in a year. But still, that would have been better mentioned first.
I received this book for free on GoodReads First Reads.
I received this book for free on GoodReads First Reads.
January 16, 2022
I had a chance to read this and review it before the official release. As usual Ken Blanchards books a great leadership resource material. I love that this is set up to be 52 lessons, meaning you can dwell on one a week throughout the year. If you’ve ready anything else from Ken all of this stuff will be very familiar to you.
April 13, 2022
Unhelpful noise. Besides the trite unhelpful moralizing, also lacks wisdom for real high performance work settings or people.
You can tell these guys have been spending way to much time talk to church crowds, who need to believe and there is a model Christians can use for Leadership, and a lot less time in real coaching sessions with real leaders trying to build some thing great.
You can tell these guys have been spending way to much time talk to church crowds, who need to believe and there is a model Christians can use for Leadership, and a lot less time in real coaching sessions with real leaders trying to build some thing great.
February 2, 2022
The book gives you a journey to be a true servant leader; every truth comes with common practices, so it’s easy to apply the learning. Ken and Conley enlighten us with easy reading and a call to action.
February 14, 2022
A compilation of quick snippets for leaders everywhere to keep handy and refer too over and over. There is nothing really new here but it gives excellent pointers for leaders to put in action. An enjoyable and easy read. Worth the time investment.
February 22, 2022
Very basic book on Leadership. Most of it is a regurgitation of Blanchard’s many other books. Reminded me of Maxwell’s books of whom I’m not a fan of, pithy and full of platitudes. Certainly not Ken’s best work (not much new) but some of Randy’s thoughts were inspiring.
April 6, 2022
The best leaders place trust in their employees and work to build warm, supportive relationships with them. Rather than placing themselves at the center of the company’s operations, great leaders put the focus on their customers – and their staff.
November 23, 2022
Well thought out and simple to read through. I appreciate the consistency of the format which makes it simple and a pleasure to read. I hope to apply these leadership principle in my professional life and personal life as well.
January 3, 2025
Super quick read (or listen) and a great reminder coming back to work after the holidays to be mindful of “common sense” practices when working with others. I listened to the audiobook this time but would read this one again in print so I could reference certain parts again later on.
January 11, 2022
I don’t know how these gold digging ass ho-s do it , feeling good
spending people’s money , what a look down
spending people’s money , what a look down
April 20, 2022
Great insight about leadership practices. Read it.
August 28, 2022
Another slim volume from Blanchard and Co. a good reminder for any person in a leadership position - but especially those who don’t think they need such a book.
August 30, 2022
A trusted leader is a compelling leader.
September 17, 2022
I like the simplicity of the book in explaining the truths, why it matters and how we can go about applying it. A handy book to have as reference as we go about leading others, say in day out.
J
J
October 24, 2022
Short read but EXCELLENT nuggets on leadership! One of the best books I've read on the topic in a LONG time!
December 1, 2022
A quick, gentle books about being a leader. The audio version is read by the authors.
June 21, 2023
An easy read with 52 simple tips of leadership. It could be a great book club option at work. However, if you’re looking for some trailblazing leadership advice, this might not be the book.
July 30, 2023
It was a good easy read, but it was too much to the point. Felt like it was just throwing a lot of information at me without making an argument or giving a backstory to support it.
October 12, 2023
MAKING COMMON SENSE COMMON PRACTICE
November 16, 2023
It's fine. Nothing groundbreaking. Feels modern and reasonable. As recommended by the book, it will be most effective when read daily for new ideas to work on.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews