“Ken Blanchard was talking about vulnerability and love in leadership way before any of us—his fingerprints and heart-prints are all over my work and my life. The idea of ‘catching someone doing something right’ shaped how I lead, live, and parent.”
—Brené Brown, author of the New York Times #1 bestseller Dare to Lead
This candid business biography reveals how bestselling author, speaker, and business consultant Ken Blanchard revolutionized management by leading with love and service.
Ken Blanchard transformed modern leadership theory through unlikely means—by catching people doing things right. Written like a novel with warmth and humor, this authorized biography reveals how a mediocre student who was told he "couldn't write" became a bestselling author and a globally renowned management expert.
Through extensive access to personal papers, letters, and interviews spanning six decades, Martha C. Lawrence paints an intimate portrait of the man behind The One Minute Manager and dozens of other influential books. From his early days coaching Cub Scouts to building a worldwide training organization, Blanchard demonstrated that nice guys can finish first by focusing on serving rather than being served.
During pivotal moments—his sister’s tragic death, losing his home to wildfire, economic downturns threatening his company—Blanchard’s optimistic leadership philosophy was tested. Yet his unwavering commitment to bringing out the best in others while leading with love created a lasting legacy that continues to influence organizations globally.
More than just a business biography, this book shows an American success story of someone who achieved greatness not through ruthless ambition but by genuinely caring about people and helping them reach their full potential. Blanchard’s story offers an inspiring road map for anyone seeking to lead with both results and relationships in mind.
