Shane Gray Leadership Quote Essay

A Sound Mission Requires Clear Vision

By Shane Gray
Siena Heights University
The Graduate School Application
July 29, 2015

Shane Gray Leadership Quote Essay

A Sound Mission Requires Clear Vision

In 1979 Drs. Ken and Marjorie Blanchard began The Ken Blanchard Companies. The
operating principles behind the spirit of the company consisted of three goals. These goals
remain as some of the guiding principles that you will notice rather quickly when you delve into
the writings and teachings of Dr. Ken Blanchard.

These three simple goalsto make a

difference in peoples lives, to drive human worth and effectiveness in the workplace, and to help
each organization we work with become the provider, employer, and investment of choice
(Blanchard, 2015), makeup one of the banners you will find located on The Ken Blanchard
Companies website.
Dr. Ken Blanchard, a management expert, leadership instructor and author, was
introduced to me through the concept of servant leadership. Dr. Blanchards book The One
Minute Manager (1982) revealed an understanding of servanthood that made it easy for me to
realize what makes a good manager. The effective managersmanage themselves and the
people they work with so both the organization and the people profit from their presence
(Blanchard, 1982). This quote would prove to become part of my mission statement and my
favorite leadership quote.
One of the greatest and necessary strengths of a good leader, in my opinion, is the ability
to maintain a positive attitude regardless of what they are confronted with. My understanding of
Dr. Blanchards quote is in reference to an effective manager, or leaders ability to manage their
attitude. In its developing stages we are shaped by what we observe and by what we learn; but it
is my belief that the bricks and mortar, which shapes our attitude, is established through our
experiences and what happens to us, around us, and with those that we care about.
Chuck Swindoll, Chancellor of the Dallas Theological Seminary, states, he is convinced
that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. (2009). Although on paper, a

Shane Gray Leadership Quote Essay

statement of this nature looks very agreeable, it can be very difficult to maintain control over our
attitude, which also assists in adding to the ideal, true maturity occurs only after we realize that
no one has control over us except for when we turn it over to them. Therefore, in a simple
statement, when we are mature enough to maintain our own attitude, it is then that the effective
manager or leader manages themselves and the people they work with (Blanchard, 1982).
Stephen Coveys, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, defines how an effective
manager will accomplish managing themselves in Habit #5 Seek first to understand and then
to be understood (2003). In a society where it may appear that the norm is to always be on top,
leadership experts, such as Covey, would suggest that as a leader we must seek first to
understand, and then be understood (2003). Carrying out a mission requires clear vision. When
a manager is too busy gathering for all of their own desires, they may tend to run over those
around them, rather than to be concerned with their people or their peoples needs. The spirit of
Dr. Blanchards effective managers quote, would agree that managing ones self and managing
others, would require seeking an understanding of the people, so as to communicate with them in
a way that they will understand. This is also a necessary principle in empathy. In my opinion, to
the degree that we focus on understanding others, is in direct correlation with the level of
empathy we possess.
The significance of Dr. Blanchards quote was so powerful that it caused me to continue
my research, which led me to Robert Greenleaf. Greenleafs teaching says, Servant leadership
is a philosophy and set of practices that enriches the lives of individuals, builds better
organizations and ultimately creates a more caring world (1970). It is through the heart of
servant leadership that an effective manager, manage[s] themselves and the people they work
with so both the organization and the people profit from their presence (Blanchard, 1982).

Shane Gray Leadership Quote Essay

References
Blanchard, K. (2015). Retrieved on August 01, 2015, from:
https://www.kenblanchard.com/About-Us/Our-Story
Blanchard, K. (1982). The One Minute Manager. William Morrow and Company Inc.: New
York, NY.
Covey, S. (2003). The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Fireside: New York, NY.
Greenleaf, R. (1970). The Servant as Leader. Retrieved from:
https://greenleaf.org/what-is-servant-leadership/
Maxwell, J. (2013). Teamwork and Vision Go Hand in Hand. Retrieved from:
http://johnmaxwellonleadership.com/2013/03/26/teamwork-and-vision-go-hand-in-hand/
Swindoll, C. (January, 2013). http://www.insight.org/resources/devotionals/grace/the-power-ofgrace.html
Swindoll, C. (2009). The Value of a Positive Attitude. Retrieved from:
http://daily.insight.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=13123